The Prakasam Khani Open Cast dip side coal block has been allocated to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the Union Coal and Mines Minister announced in New Delhi, describing the development as a significant achievement for the coal producer and Telangana. The minister conveyed congratulations to Singareni employees, their families, trade union representatives, company officials and the people of the state. He said the auction process for the block had concluded and the Manuguru PKOC-2 dip side block had been awarded to SCCL. He noted that after SCCL secured the Naini coal block in Odisha and the Tadicherla 2 block, workers and trade union leaders had requested his intervention to secure the PKOC-2 dip side block, and he accepted personal responsibility to ensure its allocation. The minister framed his efforts as those of a son of Telangana committed to the welfare and future of Singareni and its workforce. He expressed satisfaction that these efforts had contributed to Singareni's success. The company stands to gain access to an estimated 180 million tonnes (mn t) of coal reserves through the block, which is expected to sustain operations for close to 25 years and yield around six mn t annually. The project is anticipated to create around 2,000 jobs, providing direct employment and indirect opportunities in associated services. These operational parameters, the minister indicated, underpin long term planning for Singareni's expansion and the region's industrial requirements. Highlighting economic benefits, the minister said availability of G-8 grade coal from the block was expected to generate revenue in excess of Rs 430 bn for the project, while the state government would receive more than Rs 105 bn in income; overall benefits to the state were estimated to exceed Rs 480 bn. The allocation was presented as strengthening Telangana's energy security and supplying a critical resource for SCCL's future plans. Officials and industry stakeholders were said to anticipate that the mine's output would support the power sector and thousands of employees across the supply chain.