Coal and Lignite Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs), namely Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL), and Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), are actively utilizing treated mine water from active and abandoned mines for drinking, irrigation, and industrial purposes.

CIL is supplying mine water to 878 villages, benefiting about 11.74 lakh people, with 1111.32 Lakh Cubic Meters (LCM) utilized for irrigation, covering 7271 acres in FY 2024-25. CIL subsidiaries are also developing water bodies for fish farming. Existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Jharkhand State Government is to facilitate mine water utilization for community, whereas MoU between Western Coalfields Limited and Maharashtra State Power Generation Corporation Limited to provide excess mine water for industrial use.

NLCIL is effectively utilizing mine water from its Neyveli lignite mines, with 601.20 LCM used for power generation, 140 LCM supplied as drinking water benefiting 9.55 lakh residents, and 381 LCM supplied for irrigation over 25,000 acres in FY 2024-25. NLCIL, in collaboration with the Government of Tamil Nadu, also supplies treated mine water for drinking purposes through the Chennai Metro Water Supply & Sewerage Board and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board.

SCCL in the State of Telangana is also effectively utilizing mine water, with 357 LCM used for industrial purposes, 20.85 LCM supplied for domestic use, and 662.50 LCM supplied for irrigation in FY 2024-25, benefiting nearby communities. Surplus mine water is stored in agricultural tanks for irrigation, while water from abandoned mines is utilized for community use in surrounding villages for irrigation and domestic needs.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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Shuhaib T

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