From Humble Origins to a Powerhouse
B.Jabber
The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) celebrates its formation day on December 23, 2023, it’s worth delving into the often overlooked but remarkable journey of development that has transformed this entity from modest beginnings into an industrial powerhouse. Join us as we trace the evolution of SCCL, acknowledging the milestones and accomplishments that have propelled it to its current prominence.
The SCCL company derives its name from the village Singareni in Khammam district, Telangana, where coal mines were first discovered. In 1871, during the Nizam rule, Dr. William King of the Geological Survey of India found coal near Yellandu in Khammam district. The exploration in Khammam district soon expanded to other districts, and currently, there are 45 coal mines, including 20 open-cast and 25 underground mines, spread across Komaram Bheem, Mancherial, Peddapalli, Jayashankar Bhupalpalli, Bhadradri Kothagudem and Khammam Districts. The Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited, incorporated in England in 1886, obtained mining rights to extract coal in the Yellandu area. The company, now known as SCCL, was established on December 23, 1920, under the Hyderabad Companies Act as a public limited company with the specific purpose of exploring coal deposits in the Godavari valley coalfield, the sole repository of coal in South India.
SCCL has also been a pioneer in India in introducing new technologies over the years. Notable milestones include open-cast mining in 1975, the implementation of man riding systems in 2002, and the adoption of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) in 2008, making it the first coal company in India to do so. The company received the Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award in 2015 for using processed overburden instead of river sand at Bhupalpalli. In addition to its technological achievements, SCCL became the first government company to establish a power plant in Mancherial district for commercial use. The company has set
ambitious targets, aiming for a production and dispatch of 85.00 metric tons, overburden removal of 600 million cubic meters, gross sales of Rs. 340 billion, a profit of Rs. 25 billion, and power generation of 2,500 megawatts. Despite operating in an industry where environmental concerns are paramount, SCCL has received accolades for its commitment to environmental safety. The company was honoured with the Indira Gandhi Vriksha Mitra Award in 2004 for outstanding contributions in afforestation and wasteland development. Other recognitions include the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Award in 2018, the National Award for Excellence in Cost Management in 2016, the Golden Peacock Innovative Product/Service Award in 2015, and the Environmental Excellence Award for 2005-06. In this inspiring journey of The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), we unveil a narrative rich in insights and resilience. The culmination of dedication and hard work from every individual within the company has transformed it into the powerhouse that stands before us today. As we trace the evolution of this remarkable entity, it becomes evident that it rightfully earns the title of the powerhouse of Telangana.
