Coal news and updates

Deocha Pachami coal block to start operation from Sept 2027

Deocha Pachami coal block in West Bengal’s Birbhum district is scheduled to starts operation from September 27, 2027, informed Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy,

“There is no delay as of now in the operationalization of the block. For development of coal blocks as per schedule, progress is being monitored on regular basis through meetings in the presence of all stakeholders. Further, to assist the coal blocks allocattees for timely development of coal blocks a Project Management Unit has also been engaged by the ministry,” the minister said to a written reply to Lok Sabha.

Basalt mining, as a precursor to coal extraction has started in February 2025, which is considered to be the largest coal block in India. The Deocha – Pachami coal block spread over 12.3 square km has a reserve of 1,240 million tons (mt) of coal and 2,600 mt of Basalt.

The block is the second largest in the world and will ensure no electricity shortage to the state for the next 100 years.

The block, once fully operationalized has the potential to generate direct and indirect employment for around 1 lakh people and to economically transform not just the district or the adjoining areas but also the entire region through an economic multiplier effect.