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.

Real Estate

28 Feb 2026

Casagrand Launches Keystone In Tiruppur

Casagrand has launched Casagrand Keystone, a gated residential development at Rakkiyapalayam, off Avinashi Road, in Tiruppur. Spread across 2.2 acres, the B+G+5 structure comprises 142 units of 2 and 3 BHK homes, supported by 48 indoor and outdoor amenities. The project is introduced at a starting price of Rs 5,199 per sq. ft. The development allocates 1.3 acres to open space, including a central park of about 24,500 sq. ft. A 6,800 sq. ft. clubhouse includes a multipurpose hall, mini theatre and indoor recreation facilities. Other amenities include a 5,100 sq. ft. swimming pool, poolside par..

Premium homes account for half of India’s housing sales in 2025

Knight Frank India, in its latest report on India’s office and residential property market, has highlighted a significant shift in housing demand, with homes priced above Rs 10 million accounting for 50 per cent of total residential sales across the top eight cities in 2025. The findings underscore the growing dominance of premium housing in the country’s real estate landscape.Out of 348,247 residential units sold during the year, approximately 175,091 units were in the Rs 10 million-plus category, marking a 14 per cent year-on-year increase. The data reflects changing buyer preferences, w..

Xbattery launches XB-5K energy storage system for homes, offices

Xbattery, a Hyderabad-based deep-tech company specialising in next-generation energy storage and battery management technologies, has introduced its flagship XB-5K, a scalable 5kWh energy storage system designed for homes and offices in India.The XB-5K is built on the company’s indigenously developed BharatBMS platform, described as India’s first universal high-voltage battery management system architecture aimed at reducing import dependence and improving after-sales service capabilities. The launch comes as India seeks to strengthen domestic manufacturing and address reliance on imported..