ECL Uses AI Drones to Track Mine Reclamation

09 Jan 2026 CW Team

Coal India subsidiary Eastern Coalfields Ltd has deployed AI-driven drones to assess green cover and scientific land reclamation at its Sonepur-Bazari mining area in West Bengal. The initiative uses drone-based orthomosaic mapping, along with GIS- and GPS-enabled spatial validation, vegetation health analysis and ecological surveys for on-ground verification, the company said in a statement.

High-resolution unmanned aerial vehicle surveys, combined with advanced geospatial analytics, are being used to objectively evaluate plantation performance and the effectiveness of ecological restoration efforts. The study is being conducted by the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research, bringing together artificial intelligence, remote sensing and field-based ecological assessment.

According to the company, the integrated approach allows data-driven evaluation of plantation survival rates, canopy development, species composition, spatial distribution and overall reclamation success. The use of AI and UAV technologies improves accuracy, scalability and consistency in environmental monitoring, supporting informed decision-making for mine closure planning and long-term ecological management.

Coal India Ltd subsidiary Eastern Coalfields operates across West Bengal and Jharkhand and is targeting coal production of about 58 million tonnes in 2025–26.

Infrastructure Transport

11 May 2026

RAHSTA 2026 to Host Certified Highway Construction Masterclass

RAHSTA 2026 will organise the Certified Highway Construction Masterclass, a specialised two-day corporate training programme for highway construction professionals, on July 8–9, 2026, at the Jio World Convention Centre.The Masterclass will be delivered by RASTA – Center for Road Technology and supported by Construction World and FIRST Construction Council.Designed as an industry-led refresher programme, the Masterclass aims to help engineering and project teams stay updated with the latest advancements in highway construction, pavement technologies, sustainable materials, intelligent compa..

Grand Mercure Mysuru Turns 10; BHVL to Invest Rs 1,000 Crore in Karnataka

Brigade Hotel Ventures Limited (BHVL) has marked the 10th anniversary of its flagship property, Grand Mercure Mysuru, by announcing a major investment plan of around Rs 1,000 crore in Karnataka over the next five years. The company said the investment will be directed towards new hospitality projects as well as modernisation of existing assets, aligning with the evolving demand for experiential tourism.The announcement comes as BHVL reiterated its focus on strengthening Mysuru’s position as a prominent global tourism destination by supporting the local micro-economy and adopting sustainable ..

Ottobock and Celcius Set Up Prosthetics Warehouse in India

Celcius Logistics, a domestic third-party logistics (3PL) company specialising in end-to-end cold-chain solutions, has partnered with Ottobock India, the Indian arm of Germany-based Ottobock, to establish a dedicated prosthetics warehouse and logistics distribution hub in India. As part of the collaboration, a technology-enabled facility has been launched in Thane to streamline storage and nationwide movement of prosthetic and assistive devices.The dedicated warehouse is expected to strengthen the medical supply chain by reducing turnaround time and improving access to prosthetic products acro..