Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has secured three coal blocks, averting a projected decline in output from four mines scheduled to cease operations by 2027–28, which would have reduced annual production by 12.51 million tonnes.
The allocations include the Naini block in Odisha, Tadicherla-II in Telangana and Manuguru PKOC-II Dip Side. The development follows interventions by Union coal and mines minister G. Kishan Reddy.
SCCL operates 39 active mines across six districts in Telangana, comprising 17 opencast and 22 underground mines. A senior official said the company faced the prospect of shrinking to eight mines and a workforce of 8,000 within 15 years in the absence of new reserves.
According to the minister, delays in forest clearances had held up the Naini block, which were resolved subsequently, enabling operations to begin. The Tadicherla-II block was allotted without auction under special conditions following meetings with company officials. In a recent auction, SCCL secured the Manuguru PKOC-II Dip Side block, which has an estimated reserve of 180 million tonnes of G-8 grade coal and an annual production capacity of 6 million tonnes for 25 years.
With these additions, SCCL’s total coal reserves are expected to reach about 860 million tonnes, supporting an average annual production of 22 million tonnes over 35 years. The projects are projected to generate over `1,95,510 crore in revenue for the company and nearly `48,000 crore for the Telangana government, while creating around 6,500 jobs.
Kishan Reddy said the allocations would strengthen Telangana’s energy security and support SCCL’s expansion to meet coal demand in southern India. He attributed the outcome to support from the Narendra Modi-led central government and conveyed his wishes to the company’s workforce and management.
Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka has sought allocation of additional coal blocks, including Koyagudem-III and Sathupalli-III, to support SCCL’s long-term operations.
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