The Government of India’s efforts to strengthen domestic coal production and energy security are being reinforced through coal mines allocated and auctioned under the Nominated Authority (NA) framework. Talabira II & III Open Cast Coal Mine in Odisha, allocated to NLC India Ltd. on 2 May 2016 under Schedule III of the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015, is among the NA-allocated mines demonstrating strong performance across production, dispatch, technology adoption, safety, environmental management, employment and community development.

Located across Sambalpur and Jharsuguda districts, the mine has emerged as a significant contributor to domestic coal availability. In FY 2025-26, Talabira II & III achieved its highest-ever annual coal production of 19.14 MT, recording a year-on-year growth of 11.28% over the previous year. The mine also recorded its highest-ever daily production of 1,26,138.07 tonnes on 21 March 2026 and highest-ever monthly production of 3.39 MT in March 2026.

The production performance has been complemented by strong coal dispatch. In FY 2025-26, the mine achieved its highest-ever annual dispatch of 17.69 MT. Of this, approximately 10.72 MT was supplied to the power sector, while 6.97 MT was supplied to the non-regulated sector. Coal from Talabira II & III supports power-generating facilities across several States, including NTPC Darlipali, NTPC Gadarwara, NTPC Khargone, NTPC Kudgi and other power plants in Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.

The mine has maintained a sustained growth trajectory since commencement of production, with cumulative coal production reaching 72.23 MT and cumulative dispatch reaching 70.89 MT up to 14 August 2026. This performance illustrates the tangible outcomes possible through the operationalisation of coal resources allocated under the Government’s coal-block allocation framework.

Technology has been a key enabler of operational efficiency at Talabira II & III. The Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS) enables end-to-end digital monitoring of coal transportation and dispatch through RFID-based vehicle verification, AI-enabled cameras and technology-enabled entry and exit gates. Following its implementation, average entry-gate processing time reduced from 1.42 minutes to 0.54 minutes per vehicle, while tare weighment time reduced from 1.34 minutes to 0.48 minutes. The mine also deploys surface miners with dust-suppression systems, GPS-based fleet management and geo-fencing, 3D Terrestrial Laser Scanning with GNSS receivers, drone-based surveying, mechanised truck loading, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations and CCTV surveillance.

Implementation of Digital Logistics Management System (DLMS) at Talabira II & III OCP for end-to-end digital monitoring and control of coal transportation and dispatch.

The mine’s operational performance is complemented by measures aimed at responsible and environmentally sustainable mining. Plantation has been undertaken over 23.43 hectares within the mine lease, covering 64,288 plants, and 29.48 hectares outside the mine lease, covering 65,202 plants. The mine has also installed 11.68 kW of solar power capacity, including solar street lighting in nearby villages and solar lighting within mine infrastructure. Dust-control measures include wet drilling, water sprinkling, fog cannons, fixed sprinkling systems, wind barriers, truck-washing systems and mechanised road sweeping.

Safety remains a key component of the mine’s performance, with nil fatal accidents since inception. Safety measures include a Safety Management Plan, improved haul-road and traffic management, PPE compliance, strengthened blasting procedures, safety training and near-miss reporting through the ARAN Safety App. The mine has received multiple recognitions under the Annual Mines Safety Fortnight and has secured a Five-Star Rating under the Ministry of Coal’s Star Rating Evaluation consecutively from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25.

The impact of the mine extends beyond production and energy supply. Talabira II & III supports 3,277 employment opportunities, comprising 1,277 direct and approximately 2,000 indirect employment opportunities through transportation and allied activities. Five Project Affected Persons have received skill-development training at the Skill Development Institute, Bhubaneswar, while 101 rural youth and women have been trained in sustainable livelihood initiatives through RSETI and PMKVY centres.

Community development has also formed an important part of the project’s wider impact. CSR expenditure stood at ₹5.32 crore in FY 2025-26, supporting healthcare, drinking water, education, school transportation, rural infrastructure, sports, cultural activities and solar lighting. Health and blood-donation camps benefited around 1,500 people, while drinking-water supply through tankers benefited approximately 10,000 people. During FY 2026-27 up to July 2026, a further ₹4.20 crore was spent on initiatives including drinking-water supply, healthcare support, solar lighting, school and Anganwadi infrastructure, rural roads, community facilities and water-body rejuvenation.

Mega Medical Camp organized by Talabira II & III OCP, NLC India Ltd.

From allocation in 2016 to sustained high-capacity production, the mine has demonstrated how operationalised coal resources can contribute to domestic coal production, energy security, technology-driven mining, safety, environmental stewardship, employment generation and local development.

With record production and dispatch in FY 2025-26, cumulative production of 72.23 MT, cumulative dispatch of 70.89 MT and measurable socio-economic and environmental outcomes, Talabira II & III stands as a significant example of the impact of NA-allocated coal resources in advancing India’s energy security and supporting the broader vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat.

****

Shuhaib T

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2302594) आगंतुक पटल : 897