Tarun Kapoor, Advisor to the Prime Minister, today chaired a high-level review meeting at Koyla Bhawan, the headquarters of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), on the first day of his two-day official visit covering Dhanbad and key locations in the region from 31 August to 1 September 2026.
The review meeting covered BCCL’s major operational activities, key projects, technological initiatives, safety measures and future action plans. During the visit, Tarun Kapoor, accompanied by a high-level delegation, also visited key BCCL projects at Moonidih and the ENA Fire Project in Kusunda Area, and interacted with families from high-risk areas.
The review meeting was attended by Chairman, Coal India Limited, B. Sairam; CMD, BCCL, Manoj Kumar Agarwal; Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles, Alaknanda Dayal; Project Advisor, Ministry of Coal, Alok Kumar Singh; Director (HR), Murli Krishna Ramaiah; Director (Technical/Operations), Sanjay Kumar Singh; Director (Finance), Rajesh Kumar; and Director (Technical/Projects & Planning), Rajiv Kumar Sinha, along with senior officials from the Railways, Area General Managers, HQ General Managers/Heads of Departments and other senior officials.
During the review meeting, CMD, BCCL, Manoj Kumar Agarwal highlighted the company’s major operational activities, key achievements, challenges and future action plans. Director (Technical/Operations), Sanjay Kumar Singh, made a detailed presentation on BCCL’s operational performance, strategic initiatives and future plans.
Review of Production, Technology and Future Growth Plans
The presentation highlighted BCCL’s key operational indicators, coal production and offtake, coal reserves, operational capacity, major strengths and challenges, as well as production targets up to 2030-31. The performance of underground (UG) and opencast (OC) mines, along with overburden removal (OBR) during the past five years, was also reviewed, along with the company’s production potential and plans for the next five years.
The meeting also reviewed mining technologies currently being deployed by BCCL, including Longwall Mining and Highwall Mining, along with plans to expand the use of advanced technologies such as Surface Miners and Continuous Miners.
The restructuring of opencast blocks in the Jharia Coalfield and plans for redevelopment of discontinued mines through the MDO/Revenue Sharing model were also highlighted. The performance of washeries, plans for expansion of washing capacity and initiatives for improving coal quality were also reviewed.
Kapoor emphasised BCCL’s strategic role in meeting the country’s coking coal requirements and called for scientific and optimal utilisation of available resources, with a focus on capacity enhancement and improved operational efficiency to support sustainable growth and profitability.
Kapoor also interacted with BCCL’s Area General Managers to understand key operational and administrative challenges, their underlying causes and the measures being undertaken to address them.
Inspection of CBM Block-I and Longwall Project at Moonidih
Following the review meeting, Tarun Kapoor inspected the Coal Bed Methane (CBM) Block-I Project. During the visit, Kapoor was briefed on CBM gas extraction technology, the progress of the project and plans for its implementation.
Kapoor also inspected the Moonidih XVI Seam Longwall Project. The visit focused on mechanised underground mining operations and their role in ensuring a steady and reliable supply of prime coking coal through safer and more sustainable mining practices.
ENA Fire Project and Interaction with Families from High-Risk Areas
Kapoor also inspected the ENA Fire Project in Kusunda Area and reviewed fire management measures, safety arrangements and related activities, including scientific fire detection, thermal and satellite-based monitoring, excavation and phased rehabilitation of affected areas.
During the visit to Kusunda Area, Kapoor also interacted with families from high-risk areas and discussed issues related to their safety and rehabilitation.
Two-Day Visit to Dhanbad and Key Locations in the Region
Tarun Kapoor was warmly welcomed at Durgapur Airport by CMD, BCCL, Manoj Kumar Agarwal and other senior officials. He was subsequently accorded a Guard of Honour by the CISF-BCCL Unit at the BCCL Guest House, Dhanbad.
On 1 September 2026, Kapoor is scheduled to visit the Belgaria and Karmatand rehabilitation sites and review matters relating to the Revised Jharia Master Plan with concerned stakeholders.
