WCL’s Output Key to India’s Coal Needs, says MoS Satish Chandra Dubey

01 Dec 2025 CW Team

Dubey inaugurated an E-Vehicle Fast Charging Station at the WCL headquarters and inspected the Integrated Command and Control Centre, which enables real-time e-surveillance across WCL’s operations. He stressed that achieving annual production targets is critical as India’s energy needs continue to expand, and said that strengthening ongoing mining activities while bringing new projects online will be essential to ensuring reliable coal supply. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Coal’s full support in these efforts and acknowledged WCL’s significant contribution to national coal availability.

The review meeting began with the launch of WCL’s new website and the inauguration of the Amrit Pharmacy at the Chandrapur Area. WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director J. P. Dwivedi presented an update on production and dispatch figures for the current financial year, along with details of new initiatives, welfare schemes, CSR projects and operational developments. He assured the Minister that WCL is well-positioned to achieve its annual production target.

Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and WCL, including directors, general managers and departmental heads, participated in the meeting.

During the visit, Dubey also inaugurated “SHASTRA,” the Small Hybrid Arms Simulator Training Academy, the first simulator-based weapons training centre established in any public sector undertaking. Located at WCL’s Safety Training Centre in Indora, the facility is designed to enhance the preparedness of security personnel deployed across WCL’s operational areas. The Minister reviewed the training modules and urged personnel to remain vigilant, skilled and committed in their duties.

News source: PIB

Image source

Union Minister of State for Coal & Mines Satish Chandra Dubey visited the headquarters of Western Coalfields (WCL) in Nagpur on 27 November 2025, where he inaugurated several new facilities and chaired a comprehensive review of the company’s performance. The visit underscored the central role of WCL in meeting India’s rising coal demand and supporting the country’s broader goal of self-reliance in the sector.Dubey inaugurated an E-Vehicle Fast Charging Station at the WCL headquarters and inspected the Integrated Command and Control Centre, which enables real-time e-surveillance across WCL’s operations. He stressed that achieving annual production targets is critical as India’s energy needs continue to expand, and said that strengthening ongoing mining activities while bringing new projects online will be essential to ensuring reliable coal supply. He reaffirmed the Ministry of Coal’s full support in these efforts and acknowledged WCL’s significant contribution to national coal availability.The review meeting began with the launch of WCL’s new website and the inauguration of the Amrit Pharmacy at the Chandrapur Area. WCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director J. P. Dwivedi presented an update on production and dispatch figures for the current financial year, along with details of new initiatives, welfare schemes, CSR projects and operational developments. He assured the Minister that WCL is well-positioned to achieve its annual production target.Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and WCL, including directors, general managers and departmental heads, participated in the meeting.During the visit, Dubey also inaugurated “SHASTRA,” the Small Hybrid Arms Simulator Training Academy, the first simulator-based weapons training centre established in any public sector undertaking. Located at WCL’s Safety Training Centre in Indora, the facility is designed to enhance the preparedness of security personnel deployed across WCL’s operational areas. The Minister reviewed the training modules and urged personnel to remain vigilant, skilled and committed in their duties.News source: PIBImage source

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Dhalbhumgarh Airport Faces 150-km Rule Hurdle

The issue has resurfaced following a recent statement by Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu, who said that under existing aviation policy, a new greenfield airport is generally not permitted within an aerial distance of 150 kilometres of an operational civilian airport. He added, however, that if a formal proposal is submitted, its impact on the existing airport can be examined and relaxations may be considered on a case-by-case basis. While the clarification has revived some hope for Dhalbhumgarh, it has also underlined the scale of the technical challenge facing the project. Unde..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Stakeholders Seek Parallel Ops For Vizag Airports

With road and metro rail links to Bhogapuram still several years away, stakeholders in north Andhra Pradesh have renewed demands to continue civil operations at INS Dega even after the commissioning of Bhogapuram International Airport. The new airport is expected to begin commercial operations from June. Officials said close to 80 per cent of the airport infrastructure at Bhogapuram, including the terminal building and internal approach roads, has already been completed. However, inadequate external connectivity remains a key concern. Making a case for parallel operations, Andhra Pradesh Air ..

Infrastructure Transport

12 Jan 2026

Govt To Roll Out V2V Tech To Cut Road Crashes

In an effort to curb road accidents, particularly in low-visibility conditions such as dense fog, the government is set to roll out vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technology that will allow cars to exchange real-time data and alert drivers to potential dangers. The announcement was made by Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari after the 43rd meeting of the Transport Development Council. The technology involves installing an on-board unit (OBU) in vehicles, enabling wireless data exchange between nearby cars. This will allow vehicles to share information such as spee..