Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Government of India, Shri G. Kishan Reddy inspected the mine closure process of Murpar Underground Mine of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) on the second day of his visit on 14 March 2026. During the inspection, the Hon’ble Minister reviewed the various activities and progress related to the mine closure at Murpar Underground Mine. Coal production at this mine commenced in 2003, and the mine was closed in 2022 after the area was declared part of the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.
In his speech, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, said that mine closure is not the end of a project but a new beginning towards sustainable development. He emphasized that the mine closure process should be implemented in a scientific and systematic manner so that environmental balance in the region can be restored and natural resources conserved after mining operations cease.
Shri Reddy further stated that the interests of local communities should be given priority in mine closure plans. He said that through various initiatives promoted by the Central Government, efforts are being made to transform closed mines into socially, economically, and environmentally useful assets.
Providing details about Murpar Underground Mine, WCL’s Chairman-cum-Managing Director Harish Duhan informed that the murpar mine located in Chimur tehsil of Chandrapur district in the state of Maharashtra, has produced approximately 995,926 tonnes of coal since its inception. The Final Mine Closure Plan for the mine was approved by the WCL Board on 19 January 2026. Around 426 employees working at the mine have been redeployed to other mines of the Umrer Area.
He further informed that all mining infrastructure at Murpar Mine has been dismantled as per regulations, while the Manager’s Office and Canteen Building have been retained for social use on the recommendation of the district administration. All physical mine closure activities as well as three years of environmental monitoring have already been completed.
Under environmental protection initiatives, plantation activities over 5 hectares of land in the mine area will be carried out between June and September 2026 in collaboration with Tropical Forest Research Institute, Jabalpur. Additionally, eight free medical camps were organized for residents of nearby villages, benefiting approximately 715 people.
The Chandrapur District Administration constituted the Mine Closure Advisory Committee (MCAC) on 12 June 2025, which has been working on planning the sustainable development of the region after mine closure while ensuring environmental protection and the welfare of local communities. A Social Impact Assessment process has also been initiated to study the social impact of mine closure and to prepare a Community Development and Livelihood Plan.
After inspecting Murpar Underground Mine, the Hon’ble Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, held a meeting with the District Collector and members of the Mine Closure Advisory Committee at the Chimur Municipal Council Office. Officials from WCL, the Mine Closure Nodal Officer, representatives of NGOs, consultants, and representatives of local villages were present during the meeting. Discussions were held on the holistic and sustainable development of the region after mine closure.
On this occasion, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Private Secretary to the Hon’ble Minister of Coal and Mines Dr. Pankaj Jain, Chairman of Coal India Limited Shri B. Sairam, Coal Controller Shri Sajeesh Kumar N, Director (Technical), Ministry of Coal Shri Birendra Kumar Thakur, Additional Private Secretary to the Hon’ble Minister Shri A. Venkateshwar Reddy, CMD, WCL Shri Harish Duhan, Director (Finance) Shri Bikram Ghosh, Director (Technical/Operations) Shri Anandji Prasad, Director (Human Resources) Dr. Hemant Sharad Pande, Director (Technical/Projects & Planning) Shri Sandeep Paranjpe and Regional General Manager, Umrer Area Shri Avinash Prasad were present.
Western Coalfields Limited continues to make sustained efforts in the field of scientific mine closure. Mine Closure Plans have been approved for 116 mines of the company, and six mines have already been successfully closed scientifically in full compliance with the regulations of the Ministry of Coal. Additionally, under biological reclamation in mining areas, the company has planted more than 20 million saplings since its inception.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com