National President of The Mining, Geological and Metallurgical Institute (MGMI) and Director (Technical), Coal India Limited Dr B Veera Reddy on Sunday said that the country will have to control environmental pollution while increasing its coal production. He also urged the miners to adopt innovative ways to take coal production to a new high while causing minimum harm to the environment. Dr Reddy was chief guest at a seminar organised here by the Nagpur Chapter of MGMI.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Western Coalfields Limited Manoj Kumar; Chairman-cum Managing Director of MOIL Ajit Kumar Saxena; Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Nagpur Naresh Zurmure; and DMS (DGMS, Nagpur) Neeraj Kumar; were guests of honour.

Dr Reddy further said that more energy will be needed to achieve growth of the country. “As per Vision 2047 Document, India will have to produce 1.5 billion tonnes of coal to be self-reliant in the energy sector. However, while producing such a huge quantity of coal, we must act responsibly and safeguard our environment,” he added.

Manoj Kumar highlighted the best practices being adapted by WCL. He stressed upon long term planning and spoke about the various initiatives taken by WCL like first mile connectivity (FMC) projects for coal transportation, sustainable mining, over burden to sand, pipe conveyor, closure of mine exercise, coal gasification, digitisation, mission ‘SEHAT’ and ‘TARASH’. Apart from Apart from this, Ajit Kumar Saxena, Naresh Zurmure and Neeraj Kumar also expressed their views. At the outset, Chairman of MGMI, Nagpur Chapter and Director (Tech), WCL -- A K Singh welcomed the guests and delegates. The dignitaries also unveiled a souvenir. Anupama Tembhurnikar conducted the proceedings while Md. Sabir GM (Mining), Area GM of WCL Umred Area, proposed the vote of thanks.