NCL CMD picked as next coal India chief

The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended B Sairam, the current Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL), as the next Chairman and Managing Director of Coal India Ltd (CIL).

The recommendation was made following interviews with 11 candidates, including the CMDs of Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Ltd (MECL) and Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), a CIL subsidiary. The final appointment will be confirmed after formal procedures and necessary approvals by the concerned authorities.

Sairam, who brings over 34 years of experience in the coal sector, has held several senior positions in CIL and its subsidiaries. His previous roles include Director (Technical) at CCL and Executive Director at Coal India. He is recognised for his expertise in mine planning and expansion, operations, sustainable mining, logistics, digitisation, and regulatory affairs.

If appointed, one of Sairam’s key responsibilities will be to increase production and improve coal evacuation, as the government intensifies efforts to boost domestic output and reduce dependence on coal imports. The new role comes at a critical juncture, with the current Chairman, P M Prasad, set to retire on October 31.

Coal India, which accounts for more than 80 per cent of India’s domestic coal production, has set ambitious targets for the coming years. The company is aiming to produce 875 million tonnes of coal in 2025-26, with a dispatch target of 900 million tonnes. In the last fiscal year (2024-25), CIL produced 781.07 million tonnes.

The appointment of a new CMD is seen as crucial for sustaining the company’s growth momentum and meeting the rising energy demand in the country.