Union Minister of Coal and Mines Visits Western Coalfields Limited to Review WCL Performance

New Delhi: Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, visited the headquarters of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) in Nagpur to review the company’s performance. He was accompanied by Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari. The review meeting was also attended by the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Smt. Rupinder Brar, Chairman of Coal India Limited, Shri P.M. Prasad, and senior officials from WCL and the local administration.

During the meeting, Shri G. Kishan Reddy reviewed WCL’s coal production, productivity, and dispatch efficiency, and addressed issues concerning Project Affected People (PAPs).

A detailed presentation was made, covering key metrics of coal production, dispatch, and Overburden Removal (OBR) for the first and second quarters of the current financial year. Further, it was assured that WCL will meet its annual production targets by the end of the financial year.

In his address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized the need for all CIL subsidiaries to achieve their annual targets to meet the nation’s coal requirements. The minister said that both enhancing existing mining operations and launching new projects are vital to making India self-reliant (Atmanirbhar) in the coal sector.

Furthermore, he assured full support from the Ministry of Coal in driving these efforts forward, including assistance with land acquisition, environmental and forest clearances, and the adoption of modern technologies.

The Minister also inaugurated the NaCCER (National Center For Coal And Energy Research) and launched WCL’s CSR flagship project, ‘Tarash 2.0’. This initiative will provide coaching to 40 students for IIT-JEE and NEET exams, along with accommodation, meals, books, and a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000. Shri G. Kishan Reddy also honored four students from the Tarash 2.0 program who achieved over 90% in their 10th-grade exams.

This visit underscores the government’s focus on energy security, technological advancement, and community welfare. The launch of NaCCER and 'Tarash 2.0' marks a new era in innovation, education, and progress for a self-reliant coal sector & strengthens R&D in coal, and enhances operational efficiency, contributing to a sustainable energy future.