Government Extends Full Support for Singareni's Expansion: Bhatti

He observed that the energy sector is expected to undergo a major transformation over the next 15 to 20 years. With the rapid growth of solar power, pumped storage, wind energy, hydrogen, rare earth minerals, and battery energy storage systems, the dependence on thermal power and coal is likely to decline gradually. In view of these changes, he said Singareni should not remain confined to coal mining alone but should proactively diversify into emerging sectors.

The Deputy Chief Minister made these remarks while chairing a special review meeting with senior officials of Singareni and GENCO at the Singareni headquarters in Kothagudem.

Describing Singareni as the soul of Telangana, he said the 130-year-old institution has played a vital role in the State's development and assured that the Government would stand firmly behind its continued growth and sustainability.

He noted that Singareni once enjoyed a monopoly in coal production, with consumers purchasing coal at prices fixed by the company. However, the situation has changed drastically with the expansion of privatization. The Union Government's policy of auctioning coal blocks has enabled many private companies to enter the sector, compelling public sector enterprises to compete in an increasingly competitive market.

He stressed that Singareni must remain competitive by improving quality, enhancing efficiency, reducing operational costs, and delivering better services than private players.

The Deputy Chief Minister instructed officials not to compromise on coal quality under any circumstances. He directed them to ensure that coal is not contaminated with mud or stones during mining operations, strengthen quality monitoring, operate coal washeries efficiently, and supply high-quality coal by scientifically blending different grades before dispatch.

He criticized the previous BRS Government for lacking long-term vision and strategic planning, stating that its failure to participate effectively in coal block auctions deprived Singareni of new coal resources. He also alleged that the previous government failed to formulate proper plans for thermal power projects such as Bhadradri and Yadadri and neglected to secure dedicated coal blocks for these projects.

He said that after the Congress Government assumed office, issues related to land acquisition and forest clearances for the Naini Block in Odisha and the Tadicherla-II project were expedited and resolved.

Emphasizing that Singareni is not merely a commercial enterprise but the lifeline of thousands of workers' families, he said the company's profitability is essential for safeguarding the future of its employees.

He directed the management and trade unions at every mine to initiate open discussions with workers, seek their suggestions on ensuring the company's long-term sustainability, and prepare a comprehensive action plan by making employees active stakeholders in the organization's future.

Reiterating that the energy landscape will change dramatically over the next 15–20 years, he said the growing adoption of solar power, pumped storage, wind energy, hydrogen, and rare earth-based battery storage technologies could significantly reduce dependence on thermal power and coal. Therefore, Singareni must strategically diversify into alternative sectors.

He further proposed that Singareni should expand into the mining of critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, which are essential for semiconductor manufacturing, microchips, electric vehicle batteries, and other advanced technologies. He suggested that the company participate in auctions for critical mineral blocks in countries such as Australia and South Africa.

Highlighting Singareni's strength, he said the company possesses decades of mining expertise, highly skilled engineers, and experienced mining professionals. This vast human resource base, he added, should be leveraged to undertake mining projects of international standards.

The Deputy Chief Minister also directed that future Board meetings should not be confined to routine administrative matters alone but should focus extensively on the company's expansion strategy and a comprehensive 10-year roadmap. He advised officials to adopt a corporate-style approach by setting clear timelines and implementing a structured calendar to achieve strategic goals within defined deadlines.