Business EconomyPosted at: Mar 14 2026 10:42PM


Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy visits mine closure process at Murpar underground mine

Chandrapur, March 14 (UNI) union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy today visited the mine closure process of the Murpar Underground Mine of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) on the second day of his visit to Chandrapur district.
During the visit, the minister reviewed various activities and the progress related to the closure of the Murpar Underground Mine.
Coal production at the mine began in 2003, and operations were discontinued in 2022, after the area was declared part of the Eco-Sensitive Zone of the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
Addressing the gathering, Reddy said that mine closure should not be viewed as the end of a project but as the beginning of a new phase aimed at sustainable development.
He emphasised that the closure process must be carried out in a scientific and systematic manner so that the environmental balance in the region can be restored and natural resources conserved after mining activities cease.
He also stressed that the interests of local communities must be given priority in mine closure plans.
According to him, through various initiatives promoted by the central government, efforts are being made to transform closed mines into assets that are socially, economically and environmentally beneficial.
Providing details about the Murpar Underground Mine, WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Harish Duhan said the mine, located in Chimur tehsil of Chandrapur district in Maharashtra, produced approximately 9,95,926 tonnes of coal since its inception.
The Final Mine Closure Plan for the mine was approved by the WCL Board on January 19, 2026. Around 426 employees working at the mine have been redeployed to other mines in the Umrer Area.
Duhan further said that all mining infrastructure at the Murpar Mine has been dismantled in accordance with regulations, while the Manager’s Office and the Canteen Building have been retained for social use on the recommendation of the district administration.
All physical mine closure activities, along with three years of environmental monitoring, have already been completed.
As part of environmental protection initiatives, plantation will be carried out over five hectares of land in the mine area between June and September 2026 in collaboration with the Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur.
In addition, eight free medical camps were organised for residents of nearby villages, benefiting around 715 people.
Among those present on the occasion were Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Coal Sanoj Kumar Jha, Private Secretary to the union Minister Dr. Pankaj Jain, IAS, Chandrapur Collector Vinay Gowda, Coal India Limited Chairman B. Sairam, Coal Controller Sajeesh Kumar N, Director (Technical) in the Ministry of Coal Birendra Kumar Thakur, Additional Private Secretary to the Minister A. Venkateshwar Reddy, IPoS, WCL CMD Harish Duhan, Director (Finance) Bikram Ghosh, Director (Technical–Operations) Anandji Prasad, Director (Human Resources) Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande, Director (Technical–Projects & Planning) Sandeep Paranjpe, Chief Vigilance Officer Ajay Madhukar Mhetre, and Umrer Area General Manager Avinash Prasad.
UNI PK SS
Please log in to get detailed story.
Tags: #Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy visits mine closure process at Murpar underground mine
More News

Nadir Godrej resigns as MD & Chairman of Godrej Industries

13 Apr 2026 | 8:42 PM

Mumbai, Apr 13 (UNI) Godrej Industries Limited informed the stock exchange on Monday that Nadir Godrej, Chairperson of the Godrej Industries Group, has resigned as Managing Director & Chairperson of Godrej Industries, adding that he will retire upon turning 75 in August 2026 and assume the role of Chairman Emeritus. .

see more..
TVH elevates India as global hub to shield supply chains from geopolitical turbulence

TVH elevates India as global hub to shield supply chains from geopolitical turbulence

13 Apr 2026 | 7:32 PM

Arti Bali
New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) TVH, a leading global supplier of spare parts for industrial and material handling equipment, has officially named its India operations as its third global hub, joining its headquarters in Belgium and its North American base in the US. The move positions the company to maintain uninterrupted service to customers in 170 countries, bridging critical supply gaps even as the West Asia crisis disrupts key shipping routes.

see more..

13 Apr 2026 | 7:24 PM

New Delhi, Apr 13 (UNI) The retail inflation for the month of March has been recorded at 3.40% on a year-on-year (yoy) basis. Corresponding inflation rates for rural and urban are 3.63% and 3.11%, respectively, data released by the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MoSPI) said.
Food inflation for March is 3.87% (Provisional) with the corresponding inflation rates for rural and urban are 3.96% and 3.71%, respectively. The MoSPI data said the onion prices fell by over 27 per cent, while potatoes saw a decline of nearly 19 per cent.

see more..

13 Apr 2026 | 7:10 PM

Washington, Apr 13 (UNI) Facing a strong jolt post the failed US-Iran talks, oil prices that rose by 7 per cent past the USD 100 per barrel yesterday, continued to remain high today, undoing the relief brought on about the ceasefire agreement.

see more..

Estilocus targets pan-India menswear presence amid 83 percent growth

13 Apr 2026 | 5:36 PM

Bengaluru, Apr 13 (UNI) Bengaluru-based menswear brand Estilocus is fast transitioning from a Kerala-focused niche label into a pan-India fashion disruptor, as it accelerates expansion plans backed by strong business momentum and 83% year-on-year revenue growth.

see more..