Indian coal sector employs 13 million people in India

05 Dec 2021 CW Team

On Monday to assess the Socio-economic impacts of coal transition in India, more than 13 million people employed in coal mining, transportation, power, sponge iron, steel, and bricks sectors will be impacted by the impending coal transition, according to a study released.

According to a study released by the National Foundation for India (NFI), a think tank, and launched by Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Anil Jain, the transition away from coal will have the greatest impact on people in the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana.

The study's coal transition is based on India's agreement to a clause in the Glasgow Climate Pact that calls for a phase-down of unabated coal power while acknowledging the need for support for just transitions at the recently concluded COP26 in Glasgow.

In this critical decade, the Pact also recognised the need for accelerated action based on the best available scientific knowledge and equity, reflecting common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities in light of different national circumstances and the context of sustainable development and poverty eradication efforts.

According to the study, the transition out of coal will have the greatest impact on people in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, and Telangana. At least half of all districts in Jharkhand (15) and West Bengal (11), 30% of districts in Odisha and Chhattisgarh (nine) will be impacted in the next 30 to 50 years when India gradually phases out coal.

The phase-out of coal in these districts will have political, social, economic, and financial ramifications, particularly in communities where coal mining has been a way of life for over 200 years.

According to the NFI study, 135 districts in India have two or more coal-dependent assets, such as a coal mine, thermal power plant, sponge iron plant, or steel plant, all of which are vulnerable to a coal phase-out.

Image Source

Infrastructure Transport

18 Dec 2025

RVNL secures Rs 1.65 billion railway bridge project from North Eastern Railway

Rail Vikas Nigam (RVNL) has received a Letter of Award (LoA) from North Eastern Railway for a Rs 1.65 billion railway infrastructure project, strengthening its order book and showcasing its expertise in complex railway construction.The project involves constructing the substructure of a major railway bridge over the Gandak River, located between Paniyahwa and Valmikinagar stations. This is part of the doubling of the Gorakhpur Cantt–Valmikinagar railway section, aimed at improving line capacity and operational efficiency.The bridge will feature 14 spans of 61 metres each, built on double D-t..

Raebareli’s Modern Coach Factory rolls out 15,000th railway coach

The Modern Coach Factory (MCF) at Raebareli in Uttar Pradesh has achieved a major manufacturing milestone with the rollout of its 15,000th railway coach on December 15, the Ministry of Railways said.In a press note, the ministry said that MCF has already produced 1,310 coaches in the current financial year 2025–26, reflecting sustained high output at one of Indian Railways’ most advanced passenger coach manufacturing units.Established in 2007 at Lalganj in Raebareli district, MCF was built at a cost of Rs 31.92 billion with an initial annual production capacity of 1,000 coaches. The factor..

RailTel wins Rs 260.88 million IT infrastructure order from VOC Port

Navratna public sector undertaking RailTel Corporation of India has secured an IT infrastructure order worth Rs 260.88 million from V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority (VOC Port), strengthening its presence in port-led digital transformation projects.According to an exchange filing dated December 16, 2025, RailTel has received a Letter of Acceptance (LoA) from VOC Port Authority for the implementation of advanced IT infrastructure at the port. The project is domestic in nature and is scheduled to be completed by August 15, 2026.The company said the order has been awarded in the normal course of ..