Coal Ministry Opens Bids for 14th Round of Commercial Coal Blocks

29 Dec 2025 CW Team

According to the Ministry, bids were received for 24 coal blocks out of the 41 blocks offered in this round. In total, 49 bids were submitted for these 24 blocks, underscoring continued industry appetite for private sector participation in coal mining.

The bid opening process was conducted in a transparent manner. Online bids were decrypted and opened electronically in the presence of the bidders, while sealed envelopes containing offline bid documents were also opened with bidders in attendance. The entire procedure was displayed live on screens for participants, the Ministry said, to ensure complete transparency and adherence to established norms.

A total of 11 companies took part in the auction process, including five new entrants that are bidding for the first time under the commercial coal mining regime. The participation of new players is seen as a positive indicator of the sector’s growing attractiveness following policy reforms aimed at enhancing competition, efficiency and domestic coal production.

The commercial coal mining programme was introduced to reduce India’s dependence on coal imports, boost domestic production and encourage private investment in the sector. Successive auction rounds have seen rising participation from both established players and new entrants, contributing to greater diversification of ownership and improved market dynamics.

The Ministry of Coal stated that further evaluation of the bids will be carried out in line with the auction guidelines, following which technically qualified bidders will move to the next stage of the auction process. The outcome of the 14th round is expected to play a key role in strengthening domestic coal availability and supporting the country’s energy security objectives.

News source: Akashvani News

The Ministry of Coal opened the bids for the 14th round of the commercial coal blocks auction, recording encouraging participation from industry stakeholders and reflecting sustained interest in India’s commercial coal mining framework.According to the Ministry, bids were received for 24 coal blocks out of the 41 blocks offered in this round. In total, 49 bids were submitted for these 24 blocks, underscoring continued industry appetite for private sector participation in coal mining.The bid opening process was conducted in a transparent manner. Online bids were decrypted and opened electronically in the presence of the bidders, while sealed envelopes containing offline bid documents were also opened with bidders in attendance. The entire procedure was displayed live on screens for participants, the Ministry said, to ensure complete transparency and adherence to established norms.A total of 11 companies took part in the auction process, including five new entrants that are bidding for the first time under the commercial coal mining regime. The participation of new players is seen as a positive indicator of the sector’s growing attractiveness following policy reforms aimed at enhancing competition, efficiency and domestic coal production.The commercial coal mining programme was introduced to reduce India’s dependence on coal imports, boost domestic production and encourage private investment in the sector. Successive auction rounds have seen rising participation from both established players and new entrants, contributing to greater diversification of ownership and improved market dynamics.The Ministry of Coal stated that further evaluation of the bids will be carried out in line with the auction guidelines, following which technically qualified bidders will move to the next stage of the auction process. The outcome of the 14th round is expected to play a key role in strengthening domestic coal availability and supporting the country’s energy security objectives.News source: Akashvani News

Infrastructure Urban

06 Apr 2026

InsideFPV Delivers ₹10 Crore Kamikaze Drone Order Under MoD’s EPR Route

InsideFPV, a Surat-based drone technology manufacturer, has successfully executed a ₹10 crore defence contract to supply indigenous kamikaze drones under the Ministry of Defence’s Emergency Procurement Route (EPR). The company completed the delivery of hundreds of FPV kamikaze drone platforms within a rapid two-month timeframe, highlighting its ability to meet urgent military procurement timelines.The supply orders were fulfilled under the emergency procurement mechanism, which is aimed at fast-tracking acquisitions for immediate operational needs. InsideFPV’s quick execution reflects it..

Infrastructure Energy

06 Apr 2026

Vedanta Resources Secures Fitch Upgrade to ‘BB-’, Best Rating Since 2015

Vedanta Resources Limited (VRL), a global player in metals, oil & gas, critical minerals, power and technology, has received a credit rating upgrade from Fitch Ratings, marking its strongest bond rating in over a decade.Fitch has raised Vedanta Resources’ Long-Term Foreign-Currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) to ‘BB-’ from ‘B+’, while maintaining a Stable Outlook. The agency also upgraded VRL’s senior unsecured rating, along with the ratings of US dollar-denominated bonds issued by Vedanta Resources Finance II Plc and guaranteed by VRL, to ‘BB-’.The upgrade represents Vedan..

Real Estate

06 Apr 2026

NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter Launched

The NAREDCO NextGen NCR Chapter was recently launched at Excelerate 2026 in Mumbai, marking a key step towards integrating emerging real estate leaders from the National Capital Region with the national platform. The initiative aims to promote sustainable and responsible urban development through collaboration and knowledge exchange.The event brought together young developers, entrepreneurs, and professionals from across NCR, including Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, Bhiwadi, and Meerut. Discussions focused on urban development, finance, sustainability, innovation, and policy, emphasisi..