Centre launches integrated system for coal sector monitoring to boost transparency

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Friday said several ambitious steps are being taken to reshape the coal mining sector, which will give it a new condition and direction.

Speaking at the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) headquarters in Ranchi, the minister inaugurated the Integrated Command and Control Centre (ICCC), a new system introduced, for the first time, in the coal sector. The ICCC will centralise live data from cameras, sensors, drones, and vehicle tracking systems to monitor coal mining activities in real time.

The minister shared the launch of the latest technology-based monitoring system on X.

The technology platform, based at CCL’s Darbhanga House, is designed to improve safety, transparency, and operational efficiency. It includes features such as AI-based video analytics, GIS-enabled displays, customisable dashboards, and multi-channel alerting systems.

“This system will play an important role in making the monitoring and operation of coal mines more safe and transparent,” Reddy said.

The minister also announced that from September 17, coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday and Labour Day, a uniform dress code will be mandatory for all coal sector employees, including CMDs. “All coal family will be seen in the same dress code,” he said.

On the issue of coal royalties, Reddy said the Centre has formed a committee to look into the state's claim of 1.36 lakh crore under coal royalty and other heads. The committee includes representatives from the state government, the Centre, and Coal India.

He also raised concerns about illegal mining and the resulting loss of lives, and said better coordination with the state government will be established to address the issue.

On pending pension matters, the minister said Coal India will look into the concerns of retired employees. “They have been from the same coal family and are grossly unpaid so far as pension is concerned. Coal India will seriously look into it,” he said.

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