Coal Ministry Seeks Feedback on Mining Plan Norms

04 Jul 2024 CW Team

The proposed norms include provisions for detailed exploration plans, environmental impact assessments, and comprehensive mine closure strategies. These measures are designed to ensure that mining operations adhere to stringent environmental standards while optimizing resource utilization. By soliciting feedback from stakeholders, including mining companies and environmental experts, the Coal Ministry aims to refine these norms to address industry concerns and enhance regulatory clarity.

The draft norms are part of the government's broader efforts to modernize India's mining sector, aligning it with sustainable development goals and global best practices. They emphasize the importance of responsible mining practices that minimize environmental impact and promote the efficient use of natural resources. Key aspects of the proposed norms include guidelines for mine planning, restoration of mined-out areas, and compliance with environmental clearance requirements.

Industry experts and stakeholders are encouraged to provide constructive feedback on the draft norms, which are expected to undergo revisions based on the inputs received. This collaborative approach seeks to strike a balance between fostering growth in the mining sector and safeguarding environmental integrity, crucial for long-term sustainability.

The Coal Ministry's initiative underscores India's commitment to enhancing transparency and governance in the mining industry, crucial for attracting investments and fostering sustainable development. As the consultation process unfolds, stakeholders await further developments that could shape the future regulatory landscape of coal and lignite mining in India.

The Coal Ministry of India has recently proposed new norms for coal and lignite mining plans, seeking industry and stakeholder feedback. These draft norms aim to streamline the process of formulating mining plans, crucial for sustainable and efficient extraction of coal and lignite resources across the country. The proposed norms include provisions for detailed exploration plans, environmental impact assessments, and comprehensive mine closure strategies. These measures are designed to ensure that mining operations adhere to stringent environmental standards while optimizing resource utilization. By soliciting feedback from stakeholders, including mining companies and environmental experts, the Coal Ministry aims to refine these norms to address industry concerns and enhance regulatory clarity. The draft norms are part of the government's broader efforts to modernize India's mining sector, aligning it with sustainable development goals and global best practices. They emphasize the importance of responsible mining practices that minimize environmental impact and promote the efficient use of natural resources. Key aspects of the proposed norms include guidelines for mine planning, restoration of mined-out areas, and compliance with environmental clearance requirements. Industry experts and stakeholders are encouraged to provide constructive feedback on the draft norms, which are expected to undergo revisions based on the inputs received. This collaborative approach seeks to strike a balance between fostering growth in the mining sector and safeguarding environmental integrity, crucial for long-term sustainability. The Coal Ministry's initiative underscores India's commitment to enhancing transparency and governance in the mining industry, crucial for attracting investments and fostering sustainable development. As the consultation process unfolds, stakeholders await further developments that could shape the future regulatory landscape of coal and lignite mining in India.

Infrastructure Transport

12 Mar 2026

Kavach 4.0 Commissioned on Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah

"Kavach version four has been commissioned on 1,452 route km, covering the high density Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah corridors. The rollout included laying 8,570 km of optical fibre, installation of 1,100 telecom towers, deployment of trackside equipment over 6,776 RKm and establishment of 767 station data centres. Trackside implementation has been taken up on 24,427 RKm covering Golden Quadrilateral, Golden Diagonal and High Density Network sections. The programme aims to strengthen signalling and train protection on key routes.Kavach is an indigenously developed automatic train protecti..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Mar 2026

Railways Advance Kalyan–Murbad Line And Mumbai Capacity Expansion

"Indian Railways is advancing multiple rail infrastructure projects in Maharashtra, including the sanctioned Kalyan–Murbad new line and sizable investments under the Mumbai Urban Transport Project and the Mumbai–Ahmedabad High Speed Rail project. The Kalyan–Murbad 28 km new line has been sanctioned at Rs 8.36 billion (bn) on a 50:50 cost-sharing basis with the Government of Maharashtra and has been declared a Special Railway Project for land acquisition; proposals covering 214 hectares are at various stages of acquisition. Budgetary outlay for projects falling fully or partly in Maharash..

Infrastructure Urban

12 Mar 2026

Parliamentary Panel Flags Funding Gaps in Heavy Industries

"The Department-Related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry (Rajya Sabha) presented its 332nd report on the Demands for Grants 2026-27 of the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI). Figures converted from crore and lakh are expressed in million (mn). The Budget Estimates 2026-27 for the Ministry stand at Rs 79,399 mn against a projected requirement of Rs 94,843.2 mn, a shortfall of about 16 per cent, with revenue at Rs 79,370.8 mn and capital compressed to Rs 28.2 mn from Rs 5,020 mn.The committee flagged recurring BE-to-RE compression and declining revised estimate utilisation, and calle..