Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed the Ministry of Coal and Mines to close 143 abandoned coal mines across the country in an eco-friendly and scientific manner so that they become useful for local farmers, informed Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Thursday.
The Ministry had already shut down eight such mines out of the targetted 10 this year and action will be initiated against 130 other mines in the coming days. The area would be utilised for afforestration and a pact will be signed with the Kanha Shantivanam Meditation Centre for the same, he said.
Presiding over a consultative meeting of the ministry at the Centre, Mr. Reddy told the members that the Ministry will consider the suggestions of providing employment for those who had given up their lands for mining. The Ministry was taking all measures to improve the safety of operations and the insurance for the workers too has been enhanced.
The consultative meeting held discussions on the mines closure and mineral exploration. Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dube, secretary V.L. Kanta Rao, Coal India CMD P.M. Prasad, Singareni CMD Balaram Naik and others participated.
Coal India and Singareni Collieries also signed an MoU with the Centre for building improving forest cover and also for construction of a green wall at Ramagundam, respectively, said a press release.
Published – July 03, 2025 09:44 pm IST
