Kothagudem / Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu launched the Singareni Collieries Naini coal block in Odisha on Wednesday. The launch was done virtually from Mahatma Jyoti Rao Phule Praja Bhavan.
This marks the first time in 136 years that the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has started mining in a different state. Bhatti called this a big step toward Singareni’s growth and expansion beyond Telangana, possibly even internationally in the future.
He said that although the Naini coal block was given to Singareni nine years ago, delays in getting clearances stopped the project from starting. But since the new Telangana government took office last year, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy and Bhatti worked closely with the Union Coal Minister to get the required approvals.
Bhatti praised the Telangana government’s efforts, saying they helped move the project from approval to actual mining within a year. He said this shows the government’s strong support for Singareni’s growth.
The Deputy CM described the Naini coal block as the first step in a larger plan to expand Singareni’s operations both in India and abroad. He mentioned that the company aims to become a global player in the mining industry.
Bhatti also talked about his visit to Odisha in July last year. He promised that Singareni would keep all its promises to help the development of the Angul region, where the mine is located. He said the company will focus not just on profits, but also on social responsibility and welfare programs.
To create jobs for local people in Angul, Bhatti announced plans to build a 1600 MW thermal power plant near the Naini coal block. He asked the Odisha government to help with land for the project. He said Singareni wants this mine to set a high standard for future operations.
Singareni CMD N. Balaram led the opening event at the mine site in Naini. He thanked Telangana’s CM Revanth Reddy and Deputy CM Bhatti for their support in launching the project.
Balaram also said the company plans to work with the Odisha government to build the thermal power plant and carry out more development projects in the future.
Bhatti ended by thanking Union Coal Minister Kishan Reddy, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan from Odisha, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, local MLA Agasti Behera, and other leaders for their support.
