Enhance Coal Supply For Maharashtra Power Plants, CM Fadnavis Urges WCL Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis highlighted the urgent need to address coal shortages affecting Maharashtra’s power plants during his address at the 36th National Convention of Mining Engineers and National Seminar in Nagpur. He emphasized that all power plants in the state are currently operating under “critical coal conditions,” urging Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to ramp up coal supply to ensure efficient functioning. Fadnavis, while speaking at the event, mentioned his discussions with Hemand Pande, CMD of WCL, where he reiterated the challenge of meeting rising demand. “I informed Pande that due to increased demand, all power plants are in a critical coal condition. I requested him to supply coal so that our power plants can operate more efficiently,” he stated. A senior WCL official, who declined to be named, confirmed that the company has already increased coal supply to Maharashtra threefold over the past year. “We are supplying coal at record levels and will strive to ensure energy security for both the state and the nation,” the official said. Fadnavis also underscored the need to transition coal mining from traditional extraction to advanced technologies like coal gasification, which he described as a “circular technology” with transformative potential. He emphasized that carbon capture and utilization should be the ultimate goal, noting that achieving this could “reshape our entire economy.” Fadnavis further outlined Vidarbha’s pivotal role in India’s coal gasification initiatives, stating that four out of the first eight coal gasification projects under the new national mission are being implemented in the region. “Vidarbha will be the new engine for coal gasification,” he declared.#nagpur #devendra_fadnavis #vidarbha #gadchiroli #western_coalfields_limited
Chhattisgarh Labourer Arrested in Nagpur with Stolen Phones and Live Detonators A 35-year-old labourer from Balod in Chhattisgarh was apprehended by Lakadganj police on September 1 after arriving in Nagpur from Warora with three stolen mobile phones and two live detonators. The Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Nagpur was immediately informed, and its team visited the Lakadganj police station to gather details of the case. Rajendra Vishwakarma, a contract worker at the Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) coal mines in Warora, Chandrapur district, was intercepted at Azamshah Chowk while allegedly attempting to sell the stolen devices. According to police, Vishwakarma claimed that unpaid wages had compelled him to steal the contractor’s mobile phones to cover his daily expenses. He also reportedly picked up two live detonators from the same site before traveling by train from Chandrapur to Nagpur. A search conducted by a team led by senior inspector Mukund Kawade of Lakadganj police uncovered the stolen items from his possession. The city police’s Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad (BDDS) examined the devices and confirmed they were live, after which the detonators were deactivated, packed, and sealed. Zonal Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Rahul Madane stated that the detonators were then sent to the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and the Office of the Controller of Explosives in Nagpur for technical examination and safe disposal. A case has been registered against Vishwakarma under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Arms Act, and the Explosives Act. He has been arrested, and his police custody remand (PCR) has been recorded.#petroleum_and_explosives_safety_organisation #western_coalfields_limited #lakadganj_police #rajendra_vishwakarma #controller_of_explosives
Junnardeo Railway Station Upgraded to Modern Facility Nagpur: The Central Railway's Nagpur Division has completed a major redevelopment of Junnardeo railway station, transforming it into a modern, passenger-friendly hub under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme (ABSS). The project, costing 25.40 crore rupees, aims to enhance the station's infrastructure to accommodate the growing demand for rail travel. The upgraded facility is set to be officially dedicated to the nation, marking a significant step in improving regional connectivity. Junnardeo, classified as an NSG-5 category station, serves as a critical junction with three platforms and daily operations for 10 trains. It handles an average of 2,867 passengers per day, a figure that has nearly tripled over the past decade. This surge in passenger footfall necessitated the extensive upgrades to ensure better service and safety. The redevelopment includes a 12-metre-wide, 121-metre-long foot overbridge equipped with four lifts and four ramps, designed to improve accessibility for all travelers. A new booking office-cum-waiting hall, an AC waiting room, additional platform shelters, and parking facilities have been added to streamline passenger movement and enhance comfort. The station's design incorporates elements of local architecture and heritage, reflecting the region's cultural identity. Key improvements also focus on accessibility, with Divyang-friendly facilities, modern signage, better sanitation, and enhanced passenger circulation. These upgrades aim to create a more inclusive and efficient environment for commuters. Junnardeo's strategic location makes it a gateway to several tourist attractions, including Tamia Hills, Patalkot Valley, Karanji Waterfall, and the Hinglaj Mata Temple.#nagpur_division #western_coalfields_limited #amrit_bharat_station_scheme #junnardeo_railway_station #tamia_hills
CBI lodges FIR against Bengal firm, rly officials for coal theft The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has initiated a formal probe against a West Bengal-based company and unidentified officials of the South Eastern Central Railway (SECR) over allegations of criminal conspiracy and misappropriation of high-grade coal. The case, registered in Nagpur, centers on the illegal extraction and sale of over 29 lakh rupees worth of coal from Dumri Khurd Railway Siding, a site leased by Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to SECR. According to the FIR, the accused firm, operated by Amit Maity, was authorized only to handle rejected and waste coal at the Dumri Khurd (DKSK) siding. However, the investigation revealed that the company colluded with railway officials to siphon off good-quality G-12 grade coal, which is of higher value. A surprise inspection conducted by the vigilance department on May 21 uncovered 1,427 metric tons of coal stockpiled at the site. Laboratory analysis by the Central Institute of Mining & Fuel Research (CIMFR) confirmed the presence of G-12 grade coal in the samples. The probe further disclosed that the firm issued 18 gate passes between March 21 and March 24, using these documents to transport and sell 720 metric tons of G-12 grade coal. The coal was allegedly removed under the pretense of handling rejected material, despite the company’s restricted permissions. The CBI alleges that the railway officials facilitated this illegal activity by granting unauthorized access to the coal reserves. The case highlights systemic lapses in oversight at the railway and coal management sectors.#cbi #western_coalfields_limited #amit_maity #south_eastern_central_railway #central_institute_of_mining_and_fuel_research
Security Guard Fraud: Nagpur Job Scam Involves Rs31 Lakh Deception A security guard in Nagpur allegedly impersonated a senior official of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) to defraud two families of over Rs31 lakh, according to police. The scam, which spanned several months, involved forged documents, false job promises, and deceptive tactics that misled the victims into transferring substantial sums of money. The case was registered after suspicions arose when no official appointment orders were issued, leading to an investigation by Mankapur Police. The accused, identified as Ajit Jinna, allegedly posed as a WCL manager and approached Govardhan Warthi, a 56-year-old resident of Godhani, to secure a job for his daughter. Jinna, along with his associates Amol Jirafe and Vaibhav Surjuse, collected Rs17 lakh through RTGS and online transfers to Vaibhav’s bank account. To bolster their credibility, the trio allegedly produced forged letters bearing official-looking signatures and stamps. Warthi, trusting the documents, even arranged for his daughter’s medical examination at a private hospital as part of the purported recruitment process. Suspicions were raised when no formal appointment order materialized. Upon enquiring at WCL’s Jaripatka office, Warthi discovered that Ajit was actually employed as a security guard there, not an officer. This revelation prompted the police to register a case against the trio under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including Sections 419 (cheating), 465 (forgery), 468 (forgery of documents), 471 (using forged documents), 506 (criminal intimidation), and 34 (common intention). The same gang allegedly targeted Shubham Margade and his younger brother, defrauding them of Rs14 lakh using similar methods.#western_coalfields_limited #mankapur_police #ajit_jinna #amol_jirafe #vaibhav_surjuse
