Three Coal Blocks Auctioned Under 13th Commercial Mining Round

28 Nov 2025 CW Team

The Ministry of Coal has successfully auctioned three coal blocks in the 13th round of commercial coal mine auctions. Launched on 21 August 2025, the forward auctions were held between 20 and 25 November 2025, resulting in the allocation of three fully explored blocks with a combined Peak Rated Capacity (PRC) of 49 MTPA and geological reserves of about 3,306.58 million tonnes.

All three blocks—Pirpainti Barahat and Dhulia North in Jharkhand, and Mandakini-B in Odisha—were secured by Damodar Valley Corporation. The Pirpainti Barahat and Dhulia North blocks each received final offers of 5.50 per cent over a reserve price of 4 per cent, while Mandakini-B received a final offer of 12.75 per cent against a reserve price of 6 per cent. All three are non-coking coal blocks. No bids were received for the Takua block at the final offer stage.

The auctioned blocks are expected to generate annual revenue of around Rs 46,206.9 million, draw capital investment of nearly Rs 73.5 billion and create an estimated 66,248 employment opportunities.

Since the launch of commercial coal mining in 2020, 136 coal blocks have been successfully auctioned, representing a production capacity of 325.04 MTPA. Once operational, these mines will significantly enhance domestic production and advance India’s goal of achieving self-reliance in the coal sector. Collectively, these blocks are projected to yield annual revenue of Rs 433.3 billion, mobilise capital investment of Rs 487.56 billion and generate over 0.439 million employment opportunities across coal-bearing regions.

These achievements reflect the Ministry of Coal’s commitment to transforming the sector into a major driver of economic growth, supporting rising energy demand, boosting regional development and strengthening the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Infrastructure Transport

06 Feb 2026

Lucknow Metro East-West Corridor Consultancy Contract Awarded

The Uttar Pradesh Metro Rail Corporation has awarded the first construction-related consultancy contract for the Lucknow Metro East West Corridor to a joint venture of AYESA Ingenieria Arquitectura SAU and AYESA India Pvt Ltd. The firm was declared the lowest bidder for the Detailed Design Consultant contract for Lucknow Metro Line-2 under Phase 1B and the contract was recommended following the financial bid. The contract is valued at Rs 159.0 million (mn), covering design services for the corridor. Lucknow Metro Line-2 envisages the construction of an 11.165 kilometre corridor connecting Cha..

Div Com Kashmir Urges Fast Tracking Of Jhelum Water Transport Project

The Divisional Commissioner of Kashmir has called for the fast-tracking of the Jhelum water transport project, urging district administrations and relevant agencies to accelerate planning and clearances. In a meeting convened at the divisional headquarters, the commissioner instructed officials from irrigation, public health engineering and municipal departments to prioritise the project and coordinate survey and design work. The directive emphasised removal of administrative bottlenecks and close monitoring to ensure timely mobilisation of resources and contractors. Officials were told to in..

Interarch Reports Strong Q3 And Nine Month Results

Interarch Building Solutions Limited reported unaudited results for the third quarter and nine months ended 31 December 2025, recording strong revenue growth driven by execution and a robust order book. Net revenue for the third quarter rose by 43.7 per cent to Rs 5.225 billion (bn), compared with Rs 3.636 bn a year earlier, reflecting heightened demand in pre-engineered building projects. The company’s total order book as at 31 January 2026 stood at Rs 16.85 bn, supporting near-term visibility. EBITDA excluding other income for the quarter increased by 43.2 per cent to Rs 503 million (mn),..