New Delhi, March 30: NLC India Limited (NLCIL) has commenced coal production at the Pachwara South Open Cast Mine in Jharkhand on March 29, 2026, marking a key operational milestone for the company.
The coal block, located in Dumka district, is designated to supply fuel to the 3×660 MW Ghatampur Thermal Power Plant being developed by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power Limited (NUPPL), a joint venture between NLCIL and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited.
The Pachwara South coal block, allocated to NUPPL in 2024, has a normative production capacity of 9 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of G10 grade coal, supported by extractable reserves of 264.84 million tonnes.
Preliminary mining operations, including overburden removal, began on December 19, 2025. The project transitioned to coal production within approximately three months, reflecting accelerated execution timelines.
Commenting on the development, CMD Prasanna Kumar Motupalli said the milestone will ensure a steady coal supply for the Ghatampur project and support India’s growing energy demand.
The early operationalisation of the mine enhances NLCIL’s vertical integration strategy by securing an in-house fuel source for its joint venture, reducing supply risks and improving the long-term viability of the Ghatampur power project in Uttar Pradesh.
