The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) has launched a strategic water conservation programme that aims to develop 50 mini tanks across its operational zones. The move is part of the coal PSU’s renewed environmental stewardship under its “Singareni Neeti Binduvu — Jala Sindhuvu” campaign, which seeks to improve the water table by converting mine pits and overburdened dump zones into sustainable water bodies.
The plan includes transforming natural sumps within disbanded opencast coal mines into functional reservoirs capable of holding rainwater and surplus pumped-out water from ongoing mining operations. The overarching goal is not merely ecological but also social — ensuring a year-round supply of clean drinking water to the local population in the Singareni regions, even during peak summer. The tanks will also serve as biodiversity pockets, fostering birdlife, aquatic ecosystems, and green zones across the otherwise extractive landscapes.
With a legacy of environmental compliance and large-scale afforestation, SCCL is now sharpening its focus on water security through decentralised storage. The company’s Chairman and Managing Director, who recently convened a high-level meeting with all Area General Managers, underscored the importance of these water structures as long-term investments in sustainability and resilience. The new tanks will be strategically located within a two-kilometre radius of operational mines, maximising utility and impact for both groundwater recharge and local community access.
In addition to new constructions, existing tanks and ponds are set to undergo rejuvenation. Planned civil works will enhance their storage capacity, including the creation of proper inlets, bunds, and spillways to ensure that excess water is safely directed downstream. Emphasis will also be placed on the safe utilisation of these water sources, with frequent quality testing to determine their suitability for domestic and potable use. SCCL directors, executive leadership, and environmental advisors are actively overseeing the programme to ensure scientific rigour and alignment with sustainability standards.
What makes this project particularly notable is its dual purpose — it is both a natural resource management strategy and a socio-environmental commitment in an industry historically linked to ecological degradation. By reimagining mine pits as water assets, Singareni is not only reducing its carbon and ecological footprint but also offering a blueprint for responsible mining that resonates with the broader ambitions of green transition.
This model of rehabilitating mined-out landscapes into micro watersheds reflects an evolving industry consciousness where extraction is being replaced with restoration, and short-term economic gains are being balanced with long-term ecological resilience. As the coal sector braces for a greener future amid the global push for decarbonisation, initiatives like these could well define the trajectory of mining in India.
Telangana to develop mini tanks to improve groundwater and support ecology
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