Singareni Gets First Coal Shipment from Odisha's Naini Mine

In a landmark moment for Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the first-ever coal consignment from the Naini coal block in Odisha has arrived in Telangana, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the state-owned mining company's expansion beyond its traditional coalfields. The inaugural railway rake, carrying 4,000 tonnes of coal, reached the Singareni Thermal Power Plant (STPP) at Jaipur in Mancherial district after travelling nearly 1,131 kilometres, offering a long-term boost to the state's energy security.

The Naini coal block was allocated to SCCL by the Union Ministry of Coal in 2015, but the project remained stalled for years due to delays in obtaining environmental, forest and other statutory clearances. Mining operations finally commenced in April 2025 after all pending approvals were secured, paving the way for the first commercial coal shipment to Telangana. The development is seen as a major step towards ensuring a stable fuel supply for the state's thermal power generation.

Reacting to the milestone, Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka described the arrival of the first coal rake as a historic achievement in Singareni's journey. Congratulating the company's management, engineers, officials and workers, he said the project reflects SCCL's growing capability to secure fuel resources beyond Telangana and strengthen the state's electricity sector. In a post on X, he said the successful dispatch marks the company's transition into a new phase of growth and operational expansion.

Bhatti Vikramarka said the Telangana government, under the leadership of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, is committed to transforming SCCL into a globally competitive mining enterprise. Along with modernising conventional coal mining, the government aims to diversify the company's operations into critical minerals and rare earth elements, which are increasingly essential for clean energy technologies, electric vehicles and advanced manufacturing. He added that the state is prepared to support the company with cutting-edge mining equipment and modern technologies.

The government also criticised the previous BRS administration, alleging that despite the coal block being allotted in 2015, the project failed to move forward during its tenure. It said the present government expedited pending approvals, enabling production to begin and the first coal consignment to be transported to Telangana.

According to official data released by the Deputy Chief Minister's Office, the Naini coal block contains 340.78 million tonnes of coal reserves and has the capacity to produce 10 million tonnes annually. The mine is expected to remain operational for around 36 years, providing a dependable source of G-10 grade coal for the 1,200 MW Singareni Thermal Power Plant. The captive supply is expected to reduce dependence on external coal procurement, improve fuel security and enhance the cost efficiency of power generation.

The project is strategically significant for SCCL, a joint venture owned by the Telangana government (51%) and the Government of India (49%), as it marks one of the company's first major mining operations outside the Godavari Valley coalfields. Industry experts believe the successful commissioning of the Naini mine will not only strengthen Telangana's long-term energy resilience but also serve as a foundation for SCCL's future expansion into new mining regions and emerging mineral sectors, supporting the state's industrial and infrastructure ambitions.