📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Original: Sachinghai09
Derivative work: Radomian
Business
Uttar Pradesh’s 973‑mt captive coal block still idle after 11 years
✍️ Business Standard
🗓 18 Sep 2026, 05:01 AM
👁 10
The 973‑million‑ton captive coal block allotted to Uttar Pradesh remains unused 11 years after its allocation, government data shows.
The Uttar Pradesh government was allotted a captive coal block with an estimated reserve of 973 million tonnes more than a decade ago. The block, earmarked for use by state‑run power utilities, was expected to bolster the region’s energy security.
Recent statements from the state administration confirm that, despite the passage of 11 years, no mining activity has commenced and the block remains completely idle. No production figures have been reported, and the site has not been developed for extraction.
The prolonged inactivity raises concerns about the opportunity cost for the state, especially as demand for reliable power continues to grow. Officials have indicated that they are reviewing the block’s status and exploring possible steps to activate the reserve, but no concrete timeline has been announced.
If the block were to become operational, it could potentially reduce dependence on imported coal and support local industries. However, until mining begins, the resource remains a dormant asset on the state’s balance sheet.
Recent statements from the state administration confirm that, despite the passage of 11 years, no mining activity has commenced and the block remains completely idle. No production figures have been reported, and the site has not been developed for extraction.
The prolonged inactivity raises concerns about the opportunity cost for the state, especially as demand for reliable power continues to grow. Officials have indicated that they are reviewing the block’s status and exploring possible steps to activate the reserve, but no concrete timeline has been announced.
If the block were to become operational, it could potentially reduce dependence on imported coal and support local industries. However, until mining begins, the resource remains a dormant asset on the state’s balance sheet.