Odisha Seeks Central Support To Accelerate Mining Growth

03 Jun 2026 CW Team

The chief minister proposed a policy framework for scientific backfilling of abandoned coal mines using fly ash to address environmental concerns and requested access to advanced mineral analysis technologies to strengthen exploration and resource assessment capabilities. He informed the meeting that the state produced around 471 million tonne of minerals in 2025-26 (471 mn t) and that mining revenue had approached Rs 460 billion (Rs 460 bn) in the same period. Officials underlined the need to align infrastructure planning with mineral output.

The Union minister observed that many challenges in the sector required coordinated action across ministries responsible for railways, ports, forests and environment and proposed a high level meeting involving all central ministries and the state government to resolve pending issues through an integrated approach. Discussions centred on improving living standards in mining affected regions by implementing welfare schemes in saturation mode and aligning central and state programmes with district mineral foundation resources and corporate social responsibility funds. The chief minister explained the state CM Sampada initiative for converging multiple funding streams to support comprehensive development in mineral bearing districts.

Senior officials from the state government, the Union Mines ministry and principal public sector undertakings including Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, NLC India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, National Aluminium Company Limited and the Indian Bureau of Mines attended the meeting to discuss practical steps for implementation and monitoring. Both sides agreed to pursue an integrated, time bound approach to policy measures and infrastructure projects to enhance mineral sector productivity and community outcomes.

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Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi met the Union Coal and Mines minister in Bhubaneswar to seek greater central support for mining led growth and to urge speedy forest and environment clearances for auctioned mineral blocks. He requested allocation of the Sashubohumali bauxite block and the Thakurani iron ore block in favour of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). He also sought accelerated development of rail and port infrastructure to improve mineral evacuation and reduce logistics costs. The chief minister proposed a policy framework for scientific backfilling of abandoned coal mines using fly ash to address environmental concerns and requested access to advanced mineral analysis technologies to strengthen exploration and resource assessment capabilities. He informed the meeting that the state produced around 471 million tonne of minerals in 2025-26 (471 mn t) and that mining revenue had approached Rs 460 billion (Rs 460 bn) in the same period. Officials underlined the need to align infrastructure planning with mineral output. The Union minister observed that many challenges in the sector required coordinated action across ministries responsible for railways, ports, forests and environment and proposed a high level meeting involving all central ministries and the state government to resolve pending issues through an integrated approach. Discussions centred on improving living standards in mining affected regions by implementing welfare schemes in saturation mode and aligning central and state programmes with district mineral foundation resources and corporate social responsibility funds. The chief minister explained the state CM Sampada initiative for converging multiple funding streams to support comprehensive development in mineral bearing districts. Senior officials from the state government, the Union Mines ministry and principal public sector undertakings including Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, NLC India Limited, Singareni Collieries Company Limited, National Aluminium Company Limited and the Indian Bureau of Mines attended the meeting to discuss practical steps for implementation and monitoring. Both sides agreed to pursue an integrated, time bound approach to policy measures and infrastructure projects to enhance mineral sector productivity and community outcomes.

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