Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines Satish Chandra Dubey visited the headquarters of Western Coalfields (WCL) in Nagpur on 27 November 2025, where he inaugurated several new facilities and chaired a comprehensive review of the company’s performance. The visit underscored the central role of WCL in meeting India’s rising coal demand and supporting the country’s broader goal of self-reliance in the sector.

Dubey inaugurated an E-Vehicle Fast Charging Station at the WCL headquarters and inspected the Integrated Command and Control Centre, which enables real-time e-surveillance across WCL’s operations. He stressed that achieving annual production targets is critical as India’s energy needs continue to expand, and said that strengthening ongoing mining activities while bringing new projects online will be essential to ensuring reliable coal supply. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Coal’s full support in these efforts and acknowledged WCL’s significant contribution to national coal availability.

The review meeting began with the launch of WCL’s new website and the inauguration of the Amrit Pharmacy at the Chandrapur Area. WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director J. P. Dwivedi presented an update on production and dispatch figures for the current financial year, along with details of new initiatives, welfare schemes, CSR projects and operational developments. He assured the Minister that WCL is well-positioned to achieve its annual production target.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and WCL, including directors, general managers and departmental heads, participated in the meeting.

During the visit, Dubey also inaugurated “SHASTRA,” the Small Hybrid Arms Simulator Training Academy, the first simulator-based weapons training centre established in any public sector undertaking. Located at WCL’s Safety Training Centre in Indora, the facility is designed to enhance the preparedness of security personnel deployed across WCL’s operational areas. The Minister reviewed the training modules and urged personnel to remain vigilant, skilled and committed in their duties.

News source: PIB