Hans News Service Hyderabad/Kothagudem

State-owned coal mining major Singareni Collieries Company Limited has initiated precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted coal production and supply during the ensuing southwest monsoon season, company officials said on Saturday.

Chairman and Managing Director Dr Buddhaprakash Jyoti conducted a comprehensive review meeting with General Managers of all mining areas and directed officials to immediately implement advance monsoon preparedness plans to avoid disruptions in production activities.According to company officials, nearly 95 per cent of Singareni’s coal production presently comes from open cast mines, where heavy rainfall often leads to water accumulation and hampers mining operations.

To tackle the issue, the company has already deployed more than 100 heavy-duty pumps and motors across various open cast mines for dewatering operations. The CMD instructed officials to arrange additional company-owned and private pumps wherever necessary and ensure that no water stagnation occurs near overburden and coal benches. He also directed officials to strengthen haul roads and complete all necessary arrangements well in advance. Corporate office General Managers concerned were asked to initiate tender-related processes immediately to ensure the availability of additional pumping equipment during the rainy season.

During the meeting, mine-wise monsoon preparedness plans and proposals were reviewed in detail. The CMD instructed area officials to closely monitor weather advisories issued by the Meteorological Department and remain especially vigilant in mines that had suffered major production losses due to heavy rains in the past two years. Referring to rising power demand in the backdrop of international developments, Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti stressed the need to maintain uninterrupted coal supply to thermal power stations having Fuel Supply Agreements (FSAs) with Singareni.