India’s largest power generator NTPC Limited has advanced its long-term strategy to enhance fuel security and operational focus by transferring key coal mining assets to its wholly owned subsidiary, NTPC Mining Limited (NML). The move comes as the company seeks to streamline its energy value chain and sharpen strategic delivery amid shifting expectations for reliable power supply and sustainable transformation.
Effective 1 February 2026, NTPC officially relocated the Dulanga coal mine in Sundergarh, Odisha and Talaipalli coal mine in Raigarh, Chhattisgarh from its direct balance sheet into NML’s portfolio. These transitions follow earlier transfers such as the Kerandari coal mine in Jharkhand in late 2025  as part of a phased realignment that began under a business transfer agreement signed in 2023.The restructuring is designed to concentrate mining operations within a specialised subsidiary that can focus on extraction efficiency and fuel logistics while NTPC’s core power generation business attends to electricity production and grid operations. Industry analysts say that centralising mining under NML may enhance accountability, reduce operational overlap, and support long-term planning for fuel supply infrastructure.
Coal remains a cornerstone of India’s power ecosystem, supplying a majority of thermal generation even as renewable capacity expands. NTPC’s captive coal strategy — which encompasses nine coal blocks with a combined peak production capacity exceeding 90 million tonnes per annum — is aimed at reducing reliance on external supplies and improving energy cost predictability for its expansive generation portfolio.For urban planners and infrastructure stakeholders, reliable coal supply underpins critical electricity delivery for cities and industrial hubs, especially in regions where grid stability and baseload capacity remain pressing concerns. Streamlining mining operations could mitigate fuel supply disruptions and contribute to smoother project execution for major power stations feeding metropolitan and industrial demand centres.
However, the strategy also invites scrutiny from climate advocates and energy transition experts who highlight the need to balance fossil-fuel dependence with cleaner alternatives. As India accelerates the rollout of solar, wind, and other low-carbon generation sources, the pace of coal mining integration within long-term energy planning will influence both emissions trajectories and infrastructure investments. Urban development economists emphasise that coal’s role in the energy mix must be evaluated alongside urban air quality goals, grid flexibility requirements, and commitments to reduce greenhouse gas intensity.NTPC’s initiative also aligns with broader diversification efforts within its group. Partnerships and research pacts — such as those exploring coal-to-synthetic natural gas facilities and critical mineral processing — signal intent to integrate cleaner technologies and alternative energy vectors while managing legacy fuel systems.
Looking ahead, the successful consolidation of mining functions within NML could serve as a model for other energy conglomerates navigating the tension between fuel security and climate-driven transformation. The key for policymakers and urban infrastructure planners will be ensuring that such internal strategic shifts are matched by transparent performance metrics, environmental safeguards, and alignment with India’s broader sustainable development goals.
