India to close 30 coal mines, promote reforestation

18 May 2023 CW Team

Approximately 30 coal mines will be shut down within the next three to four years in order to make way for forests or bodies of water, according to Amrit Lal Meena, the Secretary of the Ministry of Coal. Meena made this announcement during the third Energy Transitions Working Group meeting, which was held as part of the G20 summit in Mumbai on Monday.

Meena also stated that there would be a significant reduction in the amount of imported coal. Chittaranjan Tembhekar reports on this development.

"The areas where coal has been extracted will be utilised in an environmentally-friendly manner by filling them with fly ash and creating forested areas, agricultural land, solar power plants, and bodies of water," he explained. He further added that Coal India and other government agencies involved in coal mining are on track to achieve a net-zero targets of 5,200 units of solar power production by 2026, in order to compensate for the carbon emissions resulting from the energy required for mining activities.

Also Read
Coal ministry seeks proposals to enhance coal sector R&D
Coal Ministry Action Plan 2023 -24 Targets 1012 MT Coal Production

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..