New Delhi: South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), a Mini Ratna company under Coal India Limited (CIL), has recorded significant growth in coal production, productivity, infrastructure, technology and community development since 2014.

The transformation comes amid broader reforms in India’s coal sector aimed at improving transparency, efficiency, technology adoption, mine planning, evacuation infrastructure and energy security. India’s domestic coal production crossed 1 billion tonnes for the second consecutive year in FY 2025-26, reaching 1.04 billion tonnes provisionally.

SECL Emerges as a Major Coal Producer:

SECL, which operates across coalfields in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, has expanded its annual coal production from 34.2 MT in FY 1985-86 to 176.28 MT in FY 2025-26. It contributed around 23% of CIL’s production and nearly 17% of India’s total coal output during the year.

The company’s workforce includes more than 36,000 regular employees and 24,000 contractual workers, apart from a wider network of transporters, suppliers and service providers.

Production and Productivity Gain:

SECL’s coal production increased from 124.26 MT in 2013-14 to 176.28 MT in 2025-26, while coal offtake rose to 178.63 MT, compared with 122.03 MT in 2013-14.

Mining productivity has also improved sharply. Output per Man-Shift (OMS) more than doubled from 7.23 tonnes to 16.47 tonnes over the same period.

The Gevra, Kusmunda and Dipka mega mines in Korba together represent 185 MT of capacity, making the region a major hub for coal mining and power generation.

Rail and Mechanised Coal Evacuation:

SECL is strengthening coal transportation through the Chhattisgarh East Railway and Chhattisgarh East-West Railway corridors, being developed with IRCON and the Government of Chhattisgarh. The projects involve an investment of around Rs. 13,685 crore and approximately 342.6 km of railway lines.

The company has also operationalised 11 First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects with a combined capacity of 156 MT annually. Seven more projects are planned, adding another 85 MTY of mechanised loading capacity. FMC-based dispatch accounted for 41.3% of total dispatch in FY 2025-26.

Technology Reshapes Mining Operations:

Mechanisation has become a major feature of SECL’s mining operations. More than 88% of coal is produced through surface miners, reducing the need for conventional drilling and blasting. Continuous Miners contribute around 76% of SECL’s underground coal production.

The company is also deploying paste-fill technology at Singhali Underground Mine and using Mine Developer and Operator arrangements to bring specialised capabilities into resource development.

Digital technology is being integrated through DigiCOAL, covering machinery monitoring, drone surveys, video analytics and worker-safety applications. SECL has deployed more than 1,600 CCTV cameras, with AI-based surveillance analytics planned for the next phase.

Women Gain New Opportunities:

SECL’s Project Dharashakti is creating new opportunities for women employees through skill development and training for technical and operational roles, including Heavy Earth Moving Machinery operations.

A group of 19 women trainees is undergoing HEMM operator training using advanced simulators. SECL has also established Coal India’s first all-women-operated dispensary at Vasant Vihar, Bilaspur, and an all-women-operated Central Store Unit at its Central Workshop in Korba.

Stronger Financial Performance:

SECL’s net worth increased from around Rs. 9,544 crore in March 2015 to Rs. 20,457 crore in March 2026, representing growth of nearly 114%.

In FY 2025-26, the company contributed approximately Rs. 11,830 crore to Central and State government revenues through taxes, royalty and other levies. Royalty payments increased from about Rs. 2,075 crore in FY 2014-15 to Rs. 3,485 crore in FY 2025-26.

CSR and Community Development:

SECL’s CSR spending has expanded from Rs. 43.91 crore in FY 2013-14 to more than Rs. 127 crore in FY 2025-26. Since FY 2014-15, the company has invested around Rs. 1,078 crore in mining-affected communities through healthcare, education, skill development, livelihoods, rural infrastructure and social inclusion initiatives. It has also provided 5,405 employments against land from FY 2014-15 to August 2026.

Among its key initiatives, SECL Ke Sushrut offers free residential NEET coaching to meritorious students from operational areas. In its first two batches, 70 of 80 students qualified NEET and secured admission in various professional medical courses.

SECL Ki Dhadkan, another healthcare initiative, has completed 300 corrective heart surgeries for children with congenital heart disease.

Focus on Environment and Mine Repurposing:

SECL has completed scientific closure of 28 abandoned mines, the highest among Coal India subsidiaries as of August 2026.

The company planted a record 14.36 lakh saplings across 571 hectares in FY 2025-26, including plantations using the Miyawaki method. Reused mine water has supported irrigation across more than 3,800 hectares.

The company is also expanding renewable energy capacity. Its installed solar capacity has reached 44 MW, compared with no solar capacity in 2014. Former mining areas are being repurposed for community facilities, tourism and other productive uses, including the Kenapara Eco Park and facilities at Banki 7&8 Underground Mine.

SECL Prepares for the Next Phase:

SECL’s growth since 2014 reflects a broader shift towards higher productivity, modern infrastructure, mechanised mining, digital technology, stronger financial performance, environmental management and community development.

With the Korba coalfields continuing to play a major role in energy security and the Mand-Raigarh coalfield emerging as another production centre supported by expanding rail connectivity, SECL is positioning itself for the next phase of growth.