Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, visited the Gevra mine, known as the world’s second largest coal mine, to review its operations and acknowledge the contributions of its workforce. During the visit, the Gevra team briefed him on operational highlights through a detailed presentation, after which Shri Reddy felicitated the miners, including women, for their relentless efforts in ensuring round-the-clock coal production vital for India’s energy security.
The Minister took an active role in the visit by personally descending into the mine to observe advanced operations, showcasing the utilization of mega machinery such as the 42-cubic-meter shovel and 240-ton dumper—some of the largest Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) in use globally. He also witnessed coal extraction techniques using blast-free surface mining technology and toured the modern Silos developed under the First Mile Connectivity initiative for eco-friendly transportation of coal. Interacting directly with machine operators, Shri Reddy lifted the morale of the workforce, making them feel appreciated for their hard work in the sector.
In a heartfelt gesture, Shri Reddy shared lunch with the coal workers in their canteen and took selfies with them, expressing his gratitude for their invaluable contributions. He also visited a Miyawaki plantation pilot site, where saplings were planted using the innovative Japanese afforestation technique. Furthermore, he inaugurated the Kalyan Mandap, a modern facility for employee events, underscoring the commitment of the Ministry and SECL to employee welfare. Highlighting the coal sector’s crucial role in powering the nation, he remarked that Gevra is indeed the pride of India and emphasized the importance of sustainability in mining operations as well as the need for a well-defined action plan for mine closures.
