SDG 7: Affordable & Clean Energy | SDG 9: Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure
Institutions: Ministry of Coal | Government of Arunachal Pradesh
India has inaugurated the first commercial coal mine in Arunachal Pradesh - the Namchik-Namphuk project - marking a strategic expansion of domestic coal mining into the Northeast.
The mine, containing 1.5 crore tonnes of reserves, was revived through a transparent auction in 2022, allowing for private sector entry and resolving delays that had persisted since its initial allocation in 2003. This development is expected to generate over ₹100 crore in annual state revenue, create substantial local employment, and support the goals of Atmanirbhar Bharat. The initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s ‘EAST’ (Empower, Act, Strengthen, Transform) vision, transforming the Northeast into a growth engine. The mine is expected to support local power plants, industrial usage, and infrastructure projects in the region.
This development is significant as it opens a previously stalled, resource-rich area to private sector participation through a transparent auction, shifting the policy focus from state-controlled allocation to market mechanisms. It simultaneously tackles illegal mining while committing to sustainable practices under the ‘Mission Green Coal Regions’ mandate.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
How can commercial mining in the Northeast catalyse regional industrialisation and logistics growth without replicating the resource-dependence patterns seen in India’s traditional coal belts?
Follow the full press release here:
Historic Launch of First Commercial Coal Mine in Arunachal Pradesh – Namchik-Namphuk