Coal India Head Calls for Major Organizational Overhaul

Sanoj Kumar Jha, a newly appointed chairman of Coal India Limited (CIL), advocated for a radical transformation of the PSU's business model and operational systems so that it could still be relevant in the world after the global energy transition.

On his first day at work, Jha went to CIL's 50th anniversary celebration in Kolkata where he said, “The organization should not be allowed to rot but has to turn around and adapt to the changing environment.”

“The world of energy is not what it was 50 years ago when coal was the main source,” he added. “The door has been flung open to renewable energy and other competitors, and we have no choice but to move further than our traditional lines of business,” he explained.

Jha gave an account of the restructuring of CIL around three major strategic pillars, namely - moving far enough from mining to tap new markets, increasing the volume of underground mining, and updating logistics and technology.

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By 2035, the company intends to meet its goal of 100 million tonnes of underground coal production largely due to the support of upgraded equipment, advanced technologies, and the training of better-skilled labor.

With the help of its diversification program, CIL is determined to gasify coal, build renewable energy projects (solar and wind) and indulge in the critical minerals sector. Through its First Mile Connectivity scheme, CIL aims at total mechanization of coal transport in five years to not only do the job faster but also eco-friendlier.

Reiterating CIL’s long-term pledge, Jha expressed that the company would keep on being a major factor of India's development, “Not only as a coal producer but as a clean energy company producing the kinds of energies India requires,” he assured.