Kolkata, New Delhi, INDIA. New York, USA.
Business To Business, Sambalpur, 25th July, 2026: Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Friday virtually inaugurated Mahanadi Coalfields Limited's (MCL) Coal-Neer plant, a packaged drinking water facility at the Handidhua Underground Mine in Odisha's Talcher, marking a step towards sustainable post-mining development and community welfare.
According to an official statement, the plant has been established under the Coal Ministry's 'Mission GREEN' initiative, which aims to transform abandoned mining infrastructure into sustainable community assets.
The Handidhua underground mine, which has remained closed since 1998, will now be used to convert mine water into safe and affordable packaged drinking water for local communities.
The initiative seeks to promote the productive reuse of abandoned mines while improving access to clean drinking water and advancing sustainable development in mining regions. Officials said the project reflects the government's focus on environmental conservation, resource optimisation and community welfare through innovative post-mining interventions.