Coal NEER Takes Centre Stage as Ministry of Coal Unveils New Sustainability Initiatives on July 22 – Indian PSU
The Ministry of Coal is set to showcase its growing commitment to sustainable development and community welfare with the inauguration of Coal NEER packaged drinking water plants, alongside the release of AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure, during a high-level event in New Delhi on July 22, 2026.
The event, to be inaugurated by G. Kishan Reddy, will also witness the signing of an India-Germany Implementation Agreement on scientific mine closure and the exchange of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) under the Revised Jharia Master Plan.
Coal NEER: Delivering Safe Drinking Water to Mining Communities
One of the key highlights of the programme will be the inauguration of Coal NEER Plants established by Coal India Limited through its subsidiary companies.
The Coal NEER initiative aims to provide safe, affordable and sustainable drinking water to residents of coal-bearing regions, particularly those living in remote mining areas where access to clean potable water remains a challenge.
The initiative reflects Coal India’s broader commitment to improving the quality of life in mining communities by combining infrastructure development with social responsibility. By ensuring reliable access to safe drinking water, Coal NEER is expected to make a significant contribution to public health and community welfare across India's coalfields.
AAROH Highlights India’s Scientific Mine Closure Journey
The Ministry will also release AAROH – Annual Report on Mine Closure, documenting a major milestone in India’s mining history.
For the first time since Independence, 42 coal mines have been scientifically closed in accordance with approved mine closure plans. The report showcases how abandoned mining areas have been transformed through ecological restoration, scientific land reclamation, sustainable land utilisation and community-focused redevelopment.
The Ministry has developed several innovative frameworks to institutionalise responsible mine closure, including:
- RECLAIM Framework for community engagement
- L.I.V.E.S. Framework for sustainable mine closure and post-mining land use
- SUVIKALP, an interactive decision-support tool for evaluating mine repurposing opportunities
These initiatives are helping transform exhausted mines into productive assets that generate long-term environmental and socio-economic benefits.
India-Germany Partnership on Mine Closure
Another significant announcement during the event will be the signing of an Implementation Agreement between the Ministry of Coal and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)>.
The partnership will focus on scientific closure of coal mines, institutional capacity building, knowledge exchange and adoption of international best practices for sustainable post-mining development.
Skill Development Push Under Jharia Master Plan
The programme will also witness the signing of tripartite MoUs among Bharat Coking Coal Limited, the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority, Hindalco Industries Limited and Rajdhani Universal Fabrics Private Limited for establishing vocational training centres under the Revised Jharia Master Plan.
These facilities are expected to enhance employability and create alternative livelihood opportunities for communities affected by mining operations.
High-Level Participation
The event will be attended by several senior Union Ministers, including Bhupender Yadav and Jitendra Singh, while Satish Chandra Dubey will participate as the Guest of Honour.
Senior officials, including Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, Additional Secretary Sanoj Kumar Jha, Coal Controller Sajeesh Kumar N., and representatives from Coal India, NLC India Limited, The Singareni Collieries Company Limited, NTPC Limited, and private mining companies will also be present.
A New Vision for Sustainable Mining
With the launch of Coal NEER, the release of AAROH, international collaboration with Germany, and a renewed focus on skill development in mining regions, the Ministry of Coal is reinforcing its vision of transforming mine closure into an opportunity for environmental restoration, community development and sustainable economic growth.
The event marks another important milestone in India’s transition towards responsible mining practices where ecological sustainability and social welfare remain central to the country’s coal sector strategy.
