Rajesh is general manager (mining) and nodal (coal logistics) at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). Overall, he has around 32 years of experience working at CCL in various capacities. He has worked in semi-mechanised below-ground mines and in large open-cast mines of CCL. His areas of expertise include mobile in-pit crushing and conveying systems through belt conveyors at Piparwar OC Mine, hilltop mining at Kalyani OC Mine and the planning aspect of mines. Currently, he is involved in the construction of first-mile connectivity projects and railway projects of CCL as well as two dedicated rail corridors: the 44 km long Tori-Shivpur third rail line and the 49 km long Shivpur-Kathautia BG rail line in Jharkhand. Prior to joining CCL, Rajesh was posted at Uranium Corporation of India Limited in 1992, where he looked after shaft sinking – third stage.
Coal India Limited has envisaged a coal production programme of 1 billion tonnes in 2025-26. To achieve this, CCL must enhance its production from its working and upcoming mines to 135 million tonnes (mt) in the same year. This jump from 86 mt in 2023-24 to 135 mt in 2025-26 will be a challenge. The use of forest land for non-forestry purposes, land acquisition and compensation are additional challenges. Other challenges include the introduction of mass production technology and digitisation in underground mines, achieving net zero targets and becoming carbon neutral.
Rajesh notes, “Our government, in Mission mode, has undertaken several initiatives like the launching of the Project Monitoring Group (PMG) Portal. The PMG Portal is an institutional mechanism. This interdepartmental portal monitors large-scale infrastructure projects. With this, India’s infrastructure industry is set to undergo substantial expansion across roads, railways, water, renewable energy, steel, cement, fertilisers, etc. Dedicated freight corridors are being developed to streamline coal and goods transport and reduce reliance on roads, airports, railways, etc. In a nutshell, the outlook for Indian infrastructure is positive.”
As per Rajesh, “An efficient planner is one who foresees the thick and thin in advance.” According to him, a mining engineer faces critical situations in their early professional life. These situations teach one to be calm and composed even in the most adverse situations of life. This management style, when combined with meticulous planning, sincere execution and continuous follow-ups, results in goal fulfilment.
Rajesh is a Graduate Mining Engineer from ISM, Dhanbad (now IIT-ISM). In his free time, he likes to travel, read and sing old melodies. He is also an environmentalist by nature and has an inclination towards spiritualism.