New Delhi — In a significant boost to India’s coal mining infrastructure, South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) has awarded a ₹2,956.66 crore contract to PNC Infratech Ltd under a competitive tendering process. The contract is tied to expansion activities at the Gevra Open Cast Project (OCP) in Chhattisgarh and marks a key diversification milestone for PNC Infratech.
Contract Details
According to official disclosures, PNC Infratech emerged as the L1 (First Lowest) Bidder in a tender floated by SECL. The contract involves:
- Handling and transportation of coal
- Hiring of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM)
- Removal of overburden (OB)
- Coal extraction using surface miners
- Loading and dispatch of coal to designated destinations
The project is estimated at ₹2,956.66 crore (exclusive of GST) and is set to be implemented over a five-year period. Financial bids for the tender were opened on July 28, 2025.
Project Significance: Gevra OCP
The Gevra Open Cast Project, located in Chhattisgarh’s Korba district, is one of Asia’s largest open-pit coal mines. Operated by SECL, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), the mine is a crucial asset in India’s thermal power supply chain.
The expansion project aims to significantly ramp up coal production capacity to meet the country’s rising energy demand and to ensure coal availability for power generation and industrial consumption.
Strategic Move by PNC Infratech
Traditionally a leader in road and infrastructure development, PNC Infratech’s entry into mining operations signals a strategic diversification. This is one of the company’s largest mining-related contracts to date and could serve as a launchpad for future projects in the mineral extraction and logistics space.
About SECL
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Coal India Limited, headquartered in Bilaspur, Chhattisgarh. It is one of the largest coal-producing companies in India, contributing significantly to the nation’s coal output through its open cast and underground mines across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.
