Deputy CM Bhatti Vikramarka asks SCCL, TGGENCO to come up with long-term plan to meet future coal and power demand

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

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

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

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

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 acreage – before mining begins. Therefore, SCCL must adopt a strategic vision for at least 10 years, he stressed.

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

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

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

Published – 23 Jul 2026 21:05 IST