Govt Expands Accredited Agencies to Speed Up Coal Exploration

01 Dec 2025 CW Team

The Ministry of Coal has expanded the pool of authorised prospecting agencies to accelerate the exploration and early operationalisation of coal mines. Under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, 18 private agencies accredited by QCI-NABET were recently notified as Accredited Prospecting Agencies. The move provides coal block allottees with greater flexibility in appointing exploration partners and eliminates the earlier requirement for agencies to obtain a separate prospecting licence, a process that typically added around six months to project timelines. With exploration and geological reporting forming the foundation for mine development, the wider pool of agencies is expected to speed up pre-operational activities across the sector. According to the Ministry, expanding authorised participation will allow the coal ecosystem to draw on private-sector efficiency, technology, and competitiveness. The initiative is intended to quicken the pace of exploration and boost the availability of coal and lignite, supporting India’s growing energy needs. The Government has reiterated its commitment to building a transparent and future-ready mineral exploration framework that strengthens energy security and supports long-term economic growth.

Infrastructure Transport

10 Dec 2025

Hejamadi Kodi Harbour Project Records 87% Progress in Karnataka

The Department of Fisheries has reported significant progress on the Hejamadi Kodi fishing harbour development in Udupi district, Karnataka. The project was granted administrative approval in August 2018 for the upgrade of the existing fish landing centre at a total cost of Rs 1.38 billion, with Rs 346.5 million sanctioned as financial assistance under the Sagarmala Scheme. The Department of Fisheries, Government of Karnataka, acting as the implementing agency, has indicated that physical progress stands at 87 per cent, with the project scheduled for completion by March 2026. The upgrade aims..

India Expands Global Partnerships in Ports and Maritime Logistics

The Government has expanded international engagement across ports, shipping and maritime geo-logistics through collaborations with foreign governments, multilateral institutions and global maritime industry partners. The partnerships span port modernisation, shipping-infrastructure development, digitisation, green-shipping initiatives and maritime skill development. Recent engagements include the India–Russia cooperation on the Northern Sea Route and Eastern Maritime Corridor, training of Indian seafarers in polar waters, the Indo-Danish Centre of Excellence in Green Shipping and the India�..

NSL Posts Best-Ever November Output Across Key Steel Units

NMDC Steel (NSL), India’s youngest integrated steel plant, has reported its strongest November performance, marking record achievements across multiple operational units. The company highlighted sustained process stability, improved efficiency and rising capacity utilisation as key drivers of its milestone output. The Raw Material Handling System recorded its highest-ever daily wagon-tippling figure with 616 wagons handled on 21 November 2025, while Base Mix production for the month reached a peak of 5,18,886 tonnes. At the Sinter Plant, NSL set new day and monthly records with 15,590 tonne..