ECL also received significant recognition at the Coal India Foundation Day celebrations in Kolkata, winning the Safety Award and Corporate Performance Award. Individual honours included the Best Area GM Award for Shri Prabir Kumar Mandal, Best HOD Award for Shri Partha Sakha De and Individual Excellence Award for Shri Mrityunjay Kumar. Frontline employees Shri Durgawati Rajbhar and Shri Priti Shaw were recognised as Best Female Operators in HEMM and Non-HEMM categories, respectively. These achievements reflect ECL’s focus on operational excellence, workplace safety and employee contributions. Rooted in the historic Raniganj Coalfield, ECL continues to combine its rich mining heritage with digital transformation, employee welfare and sustainable development, reinforcing its contribution to India’s energy security.

The creatively transformed ambulance stands as a striking example of the ‘Waste to Art’ concept, demonstrating how materials destined to be scrapped can serve a larger social purpose when imagination meets craftsmanship. By repurposing the vehicle into an installation centred on health awareness, ECL has combined environmental responsibility with a message of public welfare.

The installations were unveiled by Dr. Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), ECL, in the presence of the company’s Functional Directors — Shri Md. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance); Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR); Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical/Projects & Planning); and Shri Chittaranjan Kumar, Director (Technical Operations). The Chief Medical Officer of Sanctoria Hospital, Heads of Departments and other ECL employees also attended the occasion.

The initiative was brought to life through the dedicated efforts of the ECL team at Sodepur Central Workshop, which also crafted an artistic installation featuring the Coal India insignia for the hospital premises. The team’s craftsmanship and innovative approach exemplify how discarded materials can be creatively repurposed to enhance institutional spaces while conveying meaningful messages.

Beyond their visual appeal, these Waste-to-Art installations carry a broader message about responsible resource utilisation, environmental consciousness and health awareness. They demonstrate how creative reuse can contribute to sustainability while inspiring people to adopt more responsible practices.
The initiative embodies the spirit of Special Campaign 6, which promotes cleanliness, efficient resource management, space optimisation and the conversion of waste into value.

At Sanctoria Hospital, the discarded ambulance has thus become more than an artistic creation. It serves as a reminder that sustainability does not always begin with new resources; sometimes, it begins with recognising fresh possibilities in what has already served its purpose.

Sanctoria, Asansol (WB), October 27, 2026: Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has established a state-of-the-art Geotechnical Laboratory at its headquarters here to strengthen in-house technical capabilities, improve mine safety and reduce dependence on external testing agencies.

The facility, inaugurated by Dr Satish Jha, Chairman-cum-Managing Director on Tuesday, is the first of its kind among the producing subsidiaries of Coal India Limited. Functional Directors of the company, including Shri Mohd. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR) and Shri Chitaranjan Kumar, Director (Tech/Ops), were prominent among the senior officers present on the occasion.

The laboratory is expected to enhance ECL’s technical self-reliance by enabling independent rock mechanics and soil testing, reducing turnaround time and associated costs. It will also help ease the testing workload of Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI), Coal India’s mine planning and consultancy arm, by undertaking geotechnical investigations in-house.

Equipped with advanced instruments, including a Universal Testing Machine, Rock Triaxial Instrument, Brazilian Test Apparatus, Direct Shear Instrument, Point Load Apparatus and Slake Durability Test Apparatus, the facility will support scientific assessment of rock and soil properties critical to mining operations.
While facilitating slope stability assessments in opencast mines, the laboratory will also support Rock Mass Rating (RMR) evaluations, roof and floor stability studies and strata-control assessments in underground mines, contributing to safer and more efficient mining practices.

Beyond its own operational requirements, ECL envisages extending the facility’s services to sister subsidiaries of Coal India, offering an additional option for specialised geotechnical testing. The laboratory also has the potential to cater to other mining and construction companies, opening avenues for optimal utilisation of technical infrastructure and revenue generation.

To facilitate wider utilisation and enhance the credibility of its testing services, ECL plans to pursue accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) for relevant testing parameters, subject to applicable requirements.

The facility will also promote technical training, skill development and indigenous expertise, strengthening ECL’s long-term capabilities in scientific mine management.

The initiative marks a significant step towards technical self-reliance while positioning ECL as a potential provider of specialised geotechnical testing services to the broader mining and infrastructure sectors.

ECL plans to extend the laboratory’s testing services to other Coal India subsidiaries, as well as external mining and construction companies. The company also intends to pursue National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) accreditation for relevant testing parameters to enhance the laboratory’s credibility and wider utilisation. In addition to providing specialised geotechnical testing services, the facility will promote technical training, skill development and indigenous expertise in scientific mine management. The initiative is expected to strengthen ECL’s technical capabilities while supporting safer, more reliable and efficient mining practices across the industry.

Addressing the gathering, the CMD underscored that integrity should not remain confined to official responsibilities but must also guide individual conduct in everyday life. He stressed that transparency, accountability and ethical decision-making were essential for strengthening institutional credibility and public trust.

Earlier, Smt Deepti Patel, Chief Vigilance Officer briefed the gathering on various initiatives undertaken by ECL as part of its vigilance awareness campaign, which commenced on August 17, 2026. She outlined the activities conducted to sensitise employees and strengthen preventive vigilance across the company.
On the occasion, the CMD also read out the message of the President of India, while Director (Finance) Shri Mohd. Anzar Alam read out the Prime Minister’s message and Director (HR) Gunjan Kumar Sinha read out the message of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

The Functional Directors also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of individual responsibility and collective efforts in fostering a culture of honesty and vigilance across the organisation.
The occasion also marked the release of ‘Sachetna’, ECL’s vigilance magazine, by the CMD, Functional Directors and CVO. A Vigilance Compendium and a booklet on Dos and Don’ts, intended to serve as ready references for employees on procedural compliance and ethical conduct, was also released during the event.

Of the total appointments, 88 were made under NCWA provisions and two under the R&R scheme, reflecting the company’s commitment to employee welfare and fulfilment of its rehabilitation and employment-related obligations.

The appointment letter distribution programme was attended by Shri Md. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR), Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical/Planning & Projects) and Shri Chitranjan Kumar, Director (Technical/Operations), ECL.

The programme marked another step in ECL’s continued efforts towards extending employment opportunities to eligible beneficiaries under the applicable provisions.

Shri Dibyajyoti Ghosh, HoD (Employment & Recruitment), ECL Headquarters, coordinated the programme and proposed the vote of thanks.

During this initial period, cleanliness activities have been documented across multiple locations in Sodepur, Jhanjra, Kajora and other areas of ECL. The activities cover residential colonies, community spaces, religious premises and utility areas, reflecting the campaign’s wide-ranging scope.

The cleanliness drive focuses on improving workplace and residential surroundings, removing accumulated waste and unwanted vegetation, clearing neglected spaces, and promoting a cleaner and more organised environment. These initiatives align with the broader objectives of Special Campaign 6, which emphasises Swachhata, sustainability and efficiency.

The progress achieved during the initial ten days marks a crucial step towards fulfilling the objectives of the campaign. With 20 days being still in the implementation phase, ECL aims to build on these achievements and further strengthen its cleanliness and space-management initiatives.

ECL continues to expand the campaign’s reach across its operational establishments, residential colonies and utility areas, reinforcing its commitment to maintaining cleaner surroundings, promoting environmental responsibility and ensuring the efficient utilisation of available spaces.

As part of the initiative, awareness camps and e-waste collection box were established at ECL Headquarters and various Areas to promote proper collection, segregation, and disposal of e-waste through authorised channels. This encourages employees to adopt responsible and sustainable waste management practices.
The initiative promotes a cleaner and sustainable workplace, while strengthening ECL’s commitment to swachhata, environmental responsibility and sustainability under Special Campaign 6.

The programme was aimed at enhancing awareness among ECL employees and officials regarding various banking products, facilities and services available to them. During the session, representatives of SBI provided detailed information on the CIL Corporate Salary Package, exclusive banking benefits, loan facilities, credit cards and other financial services. Employees, officials and retiring executives actively participated in the programme and interacted with the SBI representatives to seek clarifications on various banking-related matters. The interactive session provided participants with greater understanding of the available financial services and their associated benefits.

The initiative reflects ECL’s continued efforts under Special Campaign 6.0 towards strengthening employee awareness, facilitating access to relevant services and promoting informed financial decision-making.