Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka has directed the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and the Telangana Power Generation Corporation Limited (TGGENCO) to jointly prepare a 10-year action plan based on the projected electricity demand and corresponding coal requirements in the State.

Speaking to reporters at Sathupalli in Khammam district after visiting the JVR Opencast Mine-II on Thursday, he said SCCL must produce high-quality coal while reducing production costs to remain competitive.

The Deputy CM said that the government’s priority was to strengthen SCCL as a strong and future-ready public sector enterprise by expanding its business and ensuring long-term sustainability.

He said SCCL had missed several opportunities to acquire new coal blocks during the previous BRS governance.

He pointed out that it takes at least seven to eight years from acquiring a coal block through auction to completing land acquisition, and obtaining forest clearances - before commencing mining operations. Therefore, the SCCL must adopt a strategic vision of at least 10 years, he stressed.

He said the Congress government expedited pending land acquisition and forest clearance issues concerning the Tadicherla-II and Naini coal blocks soon after coming to power. He reiterated that the government would support the SCCL in participating in future coal block auctions across the country.

He also called for enhancing SCCL’s solar power generation capacity and utilising its mining expertise and skilled workforce to explore critical and rare earth minerals needed for semiconductor and chip manufacturing.

Special Chief Secretary (Energy) Navin Mittal, SCCL CMD Buddhaprakash Jyoti and others were present.

Published - July 23, 2026 09:05 pm IST