SAMBALPUR: A four-day visit by the Coal India Corporate Safety Board to Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) focused on reviewing safety measures and infrastructure across the company’s operational areas from July 9 to 12, 2026.
MCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Uday Anant Kaole welcomed the delegation led by C. P. Garg, Executive Director (Safety), Coal India Limited. The team comprised N. K. Singh (BMS), Akhtar Javed Osmani (HMS), C. J. Joseph (AITUC), G. K. Srivastava (CITU) and R. K. Sharma (IMMA).
During the visit, the delegation inspected the Himgir Bundia Underground Mine, Samleswari Open Cast Project, Basic Training Institute (BTI) and Gou Amrit Gaushala in the Lakhanpur Area, besides the Chandra Shekhar Azad Eco Park in the Orient Area. The members appreciated the underground and surface infrastructure at Himgir Bundia Mine, environmental initiatives at the Eco Park and safety measures implemented at the Samleswari Open Cast Project. They also interacted with departmental and contractual employees to understand the safety practices being followed.
The delegation experienced the Virtual Reality (VR)-based safety training modules at the Basic Training Institute, Lakhanpur, and appreciated MCL’s efforts to strengthen safety awareness through modern technology. The board members also commended the Gou Amrit Gaushala as a reflection of the company’s commitment to animal welfare.
The Corporate Safety Board offered suggestions for further strengthening safety standards. General Managers of the Lakhanpur, Orient and Ib Valley areas, along with E. Kartikeyan, General Manager (Safety & Rescue), Coal India Limited, Sunil Sharma, General Manager (Safety & Rescue), MCL, and other senior officials accompanied the delegation and assured implementation of the recommendations to further enhance safety across MCL’s operations.
