Shri B. Sairam, CIL chairman undertakes on-site review of operations across ECL areas
Shri B. Sairam, Chairman, Coal India Limited (CIL), undertook an extensive field visit to key operational areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, a day after assuming charge. The visit focused on reviewing mining operations, rehabilitation initiatives, stakeholder engagement, on-ground challenges and workforce interactions.
Sanctoria, 16th December 2025: Shri B. Sairam, Chairman, Coal India Limited (CIL), undertook an extensive field visit to key operational areas of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) on Tuesday, 16 December 2025, a day after assuming charge. The visit focused on reviewing mining operations, rehabilitation initiatives, stakeholder engagement, on-ground challenges and workforce interactions.
The Chairman began his visit with inspections of the Sonepur Bazari Project, during which he reviewed ongoing mining activities. At the Sonepur Bazari Viewpoint, he was accorded a warm welcome by Shri Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, ECL, Md. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), ECL, Shri Niladri Roy, Director (Technical/ Operations), ECL and Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical/ Project and Planning), ECL, along with the company's Directors and senior executives. Chairman CIL was also accompanied with Shri Anand, Executive Director (Production), CIL.
This was followed by a visit to the rehabilitation site in the Sonepur Bazari Area, during which Shri Sairam interacted with members of the local community. Subsequently, he visited the New Kenda Open Cast Project in Kenda Area and the North Searsole Open Cast Project and Narayankuri Openacast Project in Kunustoria Area.
At these operational units, the Chairman reviewed coal production performance, coal dispatch systems and quality-related parameters, underscoring the importance of sustained production, efficient logistics and strict adherence to quality standards.
The visit continued at the Nakrakonda Kumardihi ‘B’ Open Cast Project under the Bankola Area, where mining operations were reviewed. At Jhanjra, Shri Sairam reviewed operational progress and discussed production performance and operational challenges with site officials by visiting the underground mine.
Later in the day, the Chairman interacted with members of the Corporate Joint Consultative Committee (JCC), reaffirming the importance of constructive engagement with employee representatives. JCC was also attended by Shri S. K. Pandey (HMS), Shri Prafulla Chaterjee (HMS), Shri Gouranga Chatterjee (CITU), Shri G. K. Srivastav (CITU), Shri Gurudas Chakraborty (AITUC), Shri G. S Ojha (AITUC), Shri Angad Upadhyay (BMS), Shri Binod Singh (BMS). This was followed by a review meeting conducted via video conferencing with all Area General Managers, during which performance across operational areas was assessed and key issues deliberated.
The visit enabled a comprehensive on-ground assessment of ECL’s coal production, dispatch efficiency, quality management systems and rehabilitation initiatives. ECL management reiterated its commitment to achieving production targets, ensuring the supply of high-quality coal, and advancing responsible, sustainable mining practices.
About Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL):
Eastern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), is headquartered at Sanctoria, West Bengal. ECL operates in West Bengal and Jharkhand and plays a strategic role in meeting the nation’s coal requirements. With a focus on sustainable mining, safety and operational excellence, ECL continues to contribute to the country’s energy security.