Union Minister Kishan Reddy inaugurates Coal India pavilion at IITF 2025, showcases clean coal tech and VR training
Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy inaugurates Coal India Limited’s (CIL) pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on Tuesday.
New Delhi, November 18: Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday inaugurated Coal India Limited’s (CIL) pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025 at Bharat Mandapam, highlighting India’s push toward energy security, technological modernisation and sustainable mining practices.
Senior officials from the ministry of coal, including additional secretary and CIL chairman Sanoj Kumar Jha, joint secretary Sanjeev Kumar Kassi and joint secretary Lakhpat Singh Choudhary, joined the inauguration.
The pavilion presents CIL’s evolving role in India’s energy ecosystem, with thematic zones on opencast mining techniques, artificial intelligence-assisted operations, and the integrated command and control centre (ICCC) used by its subsidiaries. Officials said AI-enabled systems are strengthening safety compliance and improving operational efficiency across mining operations.
A key attraction is the live virtual reality (VR) training demonstration, offering visitors an immersive view of advanced safety and operational training. CIL said VR-based training reduces risks, cuts costs, and provides a controlled environment to simulate hazardous scenarios.
A dedicated section showcases the ministry’s coal gasification programme, positioned as a central driver of India’s transition to cleaner coal technologies. The pavilion also highlights CIL’s CSR interventions and eco-tourism projects built around ecological restoration models.
Strategic efforts to secure critical minerals—including lithium and cobalt—feature prominently, underscoring CIL’s push to reduce India’s import dependence and support sectors such as electronics, electric mobility, and advanced manufacturing.
The IITF continues to serve as an outreach platform for CIL to engage with industry partners, stakeholders and the public. The ministry said it remains committed to strengthening energy security while steering India toward sustainable and self-reliant growth.
