Guwahati, Oct 5: Arunachal Pradesh is poised to script history on October 6, when the state’s first commercial coal mine will be officially launched at the Namchik-Namphuk coal block in Changlang district — a milestone that marks the state’s formal entry into India’s energy production map.
Union Minister for Development of North Eastern Region G. Kishan Reddy will lead the landmark event, beginning with a Bhoomi Poojan ceremony, followed by the formal handover of the mining lease and the flagging-off of tools and machinery to the site operator, Central Power Project Limited (CPPL). The day will conclude with a tree plantation drive, reinforcing the government’s commitment to green and responsible mining.
The Namchik-Namphuk coal block, holding reserves of over 1.5 crore tonnes, has been in the making for over two decades. Initially allocated in 2003, the project had stalled due to multiple regulatory and environmental hurdles before being revived through a transparent auction in 2022 — a key reform that opened the sector to private participation.
Officials said the mine is expected to generate more than ₹100 crore annually in state revenue and create significant local employment opportunities, bringing long-awaited prosperity to the border district.
“This is not just about mining coal — it’s about mining opportunity,” said a senior official. “It marks the beginning of a new era of energy, employment, and empowerment in Arunachal.”
The project aligns with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s EAST vision — Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform, which guides the government’s developmental roadmap for the Northeast. With this, Arunachal joins India’s growing coal sector, which crossed 1 billion tonnes of production last year, making the country the world’s second-largest producer.
The government has assured that the coal project will adhere to the highest environmental standards. The Northeast — known for its pristine valleys, biodiversity, and tribal communities — is being developed as a “global model for sustainable mining.” Under Mission Green Coal Regions, over 57,000 hectares have already been reclaimed nationwide, with plans to recover another 16,000 hectares by 2030.
In a parallel move, the Centre has identified two critical mineral blocks in Arunachal Pradesh and five in Assam for auction — a strategic push to tap resources vital for green technologies and national security.
Over the past 11 years, the Northeast has seen investments worth over ₹6 lakh crore. In Arunachal alone, allocations have jumped from ₹6,000 crore pre-2014 to ₹1 lakh crore post-2014 — a 16-fold rise.
Key infrastructure projects include 16,000 km of national highways, 80,000 km of rural roads, 19 airports, 2,000 bridges, and the Sela Tunnel, all contributing to a region-wide transformation from “conflict zone to growth engine.”
At the heart of the sector are the workers — the government has rolled out an array of welfare measures, including a ₹1 crore accident insurance, ₹2 crore air accident cover, scholarships, healthcare benefits, and an ex-gratia of ₹25 lakh for fatal accidents, ensuring safety and dignity in mining.
Also Read: Garo jacket of Eri silk and pineapple fibre weaves spirit of sustainability at the Delhi event
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