In a virtual ceremony, Union Minister of Coal, Mines & Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi inaugurated Dhoptala Mine of Balarpur area in WCL on Tuesday. Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari and Minister of State for Rail, Coal & Mines Raosaheb Patil Danve were guests of honour. On the occasion, Western Coalfields Limited CMD Manoj Kumar welcomed the guests and briefed about the project.

He said that opening of Dhoptala Mine will not only increase coal production but also contribute to employment in that area. He mentioned that 795 land oustees will get direct employment due to this project and will significantly contribute to indirect employment in the area. While mentioning the opportunities arising out of the project, he said that the project will last for 26 years. The capacity

of the mine will be 2.5 Million Tonnes Per Annum. Total of Rs 720.87 crore will be invested on this project.

On the occasion, Pralhad Joshi and Nitin Gadkari and Raosaheb Patil Danve inaugurated the First Mile Connectivity Project at Mungoli Mine of WCL’s Wani Area. In this FMC project, rail siding will be directly connected to the coal handling plant, which may reduce road transportation of coal by about 12 km. The inception of FMC will make coal transportation easier, safer and eco-friendly. Total investment on the project will be Rs. 470. 92 crore.

While addressing the gathering, Pralhad Joshi said that all coal companies should be ready to handle increasing coal requirements of the nation.

In his address, Gadkari said that starting new mines is important to make the nation ‘Atma Niarbhar’. The virtual event was joined by MPs and MLAs from WCL’s operating areas. Also, Anil Kumar Jain, Secretary, MoC, Promod Agrawal, Chairman, CIL, officials from Ministry of Coal, CIL, WCL, other subsidiaries of CIL, NTPC, Mahagenco, MPPGCL, etc. joined the event.