ECL CMD Urges Workforce to Bridge Production Deficit in Final Quarter

SANCTORIA, WEST BENGAL – Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), the West Bengal-based subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), has issued an urgent call to its 50,000-strong workforce to ramp up operations. During his 77th Republic Day address on January 26, 2026, CMD Satish Jha highlighted a critical gap between the company's coal output and its fiscal targets.

While the company faces a deficit in pure coal extraction, its underlying operational groundwork remains exceptionally strong, setting the stage for a potential surge in the final three months of FY 2025-26.

Operational Strength: The Silver Lining

Despite the production lag, ECL has achieved record-breaking figures in Overburden Removal (OBR)—the process of clearing soil and rock to expose coal seams. This is a leading indicator of future production capacity.

• OBR Achievement: 133.013 Million Cubic Metres.
• Significance: A robust OBR ensures that coal seams are now "ready for extraction," allowing for a much faster production rate in Q4 (January–March).

Strategic Roadmap for Q4 FY26

CMD Satish Jha emphasized that meeting the annual target (pegged at 58 Million Tonnes) will require a "collective commitment" to bridge the remaining ~24.5 MT gap. Key strategies include:

• Mining Acceleration: Maintaining a minimum monthly output of 4 Million Tonnes to ensure financial viability.
• Rationalization: Progressing with the planned closure of six loss-making underground mines where wage costs exceed revenue.
• Quality Control: Improving coal grade conformity at key sidings like Salanpur and Mugma to maximize revenue per tonne.
• Resource Adequacy: Leveraging the newly exposed coal seams following the massive OBR efforts of the previous months.

"The collective commitment and sustainable handling of work by our employees, officers, and executives will be critical in strengthening ECL’s role in fostering the nation’s energy security." — Satish Jha, CMD, Eastern Coalfields Ltd.