DGMS to emphasise on safety amid increase in commercial coal mines

30 Jul 2024 CW Team

In light of the increase in commercial coal mine auctions, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has intensified its focus on mine safety, according to an official statement on Sunday. DGMS Director General Prabhat Kumar emphasised the importance of adherence to safety norms among new players during the Mines Safety Award 2024 event. "We are seeing more captive and commercial mines coming into production every year. Therefore, we are actively engaging in consultations with mine operators to ensure they understand and follow the necessary safety regulations," Kumar said. Since the Ministry of Coal began the auction process, 107 blocks with a peak-rated capacity of 256 million tonnes have been auctioned in nine rounds. Of these, 11 commercial coal blocks have already become operational. Meanwhile, Coal India Ltd (CIL) is diversifying into the non-coal sector, with a keen interest in the battery materials sector, including lithium, nickel, cobalt, and graphite. CIL Chairman PM Prasad mentioned that the company recently acquired a graphite block in Madhya Pradesh, marking its first venture into non-coal mineral mining. "We have taken one mine in graphite. For lithium, we participated in the auction but did not succeed. However, we remain interested in this sector," Prasad said at the event. In its annual report for FY'24, Coal India highlighted its strategic diversification into emerging battery materials, aiming to leverage its mining expertise, operational footprint, and financial resources. This move is intended to enhance the company's long-term resilience and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving global energy landscape. "A deep understanding of the Indian energy and industrial landscape aids in expanding into markets for lithium-ion batteries, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies," the report stated. ( Source: Business Standard)

Infrastructure Transport

15 Sep 2025

Cabinet Approves Key Highway and Rail Projects in Bihar Region

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the four-laning of the 84.2-km Mokama-Munger section of the Buxar-Bhagalpur high-speed corridor, a key industrial region in poll-bound Bihar. The Cabinet also sanctioned the doubling of the 177-km Bhagalpur-Dumka-Rampurhat railway line, which passes through Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal, at a cost of Rs 31.7 billion.The Rs 44.5 billion highway project will be constructed under the hybrid annuity model, a variant of public-private partnership. The Mokama-Munger stretch was the only remaining two-lane section of the 363-km Buxar-Bhagalpur corridor. Fou..

NGT Issues Notice on Bengaluru Twin Tunnel Project

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday issued notices in response to a petition filed by Bengaluru Praja Vedike and others, challenging the Bengaluru twin tunnel road project. Petitioners claim the project was “hastily announced” and bypassed mandatory environmental impact assessment procedures.Notices have been served to the Karnataka Government, Greater Bengaluru Authority, State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Ltd (B-SMILE), the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and project consultants.The 16.74-km twin-tube..

India’s Residential Sales to Dip Slightly in FY26

Residential sales in India’s seven major cities are projected to decline by up to 3 per cent year-on-year in FY26 to 620–640 million square feet (msf), amid a moderation in sales velocity, according to ratings agency Icra.In FY25, sales stood at 643 msf, down 8 per cent YoY, following a sharp contraction in new launches and moderated demand in the affordable and mid-income segments. This slowdown came after the sector posted a robust compound annual growth rate of 26 per cent in area sales between FY22 and FY24.Icra noted: “Having seen a strong upcycle, the sector entered an equilibrium ..