Centre steps up efforts to boost eco-friendly coal mining

THE Ministry of Coal on Thursday said it has stepped up efforts with a robust incentive package to promote underground coal mining which is more environment-friendly, as it causes significantly less surface disruption compared to opencast operations.

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The ministry has introduced a series of transformative policy measures aimed to encourage the adoption of advanced technologies—such as continuous miners, longwall systems, remote sensing tools, and Al-based safety mechanisms — which will boost productivity while ensuring ecological balance, according to an official statement.

These bold reforms address the traditional challenges of high capital investment and longer gestation periods, reaffirming the Government's resolve to modernize the coal ecosystem while aligning with the broader vision of sustainable development, the statement explained.