Govt ready to meet summer surge as rising heat lifts power needs, says Kishan Reddy

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said coal demand could rise further in the coming weeks with temperatures climbing, but asserted that the government is prepared to manage the situation through higher domestic production, PTI reported.He said coal companies are stepping up output and the Centre is in constant coordination with them to ensure that any spike in demand is addressed.“All coal requirements we produce domestically. In the coming days, rising heat could push coal demand even higher, but we are ready to fulfil the demand. Demand for coal increases in summer. Similarly, in winter, increased use of heaters boosts electricity needs, particularly in hilly areas where power demand spikes sharply,” he told PTI.The minister was in Chandrapur to inaugurate the sustainable and scientific closure and repurposing of Western Coalfields Limited’s Murpar underground coal mine at Chimur. He also reviewed the progress of closure activities at the mine, which began production in 2003 and was shut in 2022 after the area was notified as part of the Eco-Sensitive Zone of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve.Addressing the event, Reddy said mine closure should be seen as an opportunity for sustainable development rather than an endpoint. He emphasised that the process must be carried out in a scientific and systematic manner to restore ecological balance and conserve natural resources once mining operations cease.He added that the interests of local communities must remain central to mine closure plans and said the Union government is working to transform closed mines into socially, economically and environmentally useful assets through various initiatives.Responding to queries on Western Coalfields Limited’s discovery of eight significant strategic minerals across six mines in Maharashtra, Reddy said demand for such resources is rising sharply amid the current geopolitical situation.“Accordingly, the Union government has launched the National Critical Minerals Mission, with a programme offering incentives worth around Rs 32,000 crore. The mission’s objectives include exploring critical minerals, boosting mining activities, and advancing the development of these resources from abroad as well,” he said.