Shri B. Sairam Appointed Chairman-cum-Managing Director of Coal India Limited

Shri B. Sairam has been appointed as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL) with effect from 15 December 2025. Prior to this elevation, he was serving as CMD of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a wholly owned subsidiary of CIL.

With over three decades of distinguished service in the coal sector, Shri Sairam brings with him extensive experience across the entire coal mining value chain. A graduate mining engineer from NIT Raipur, he has held diverse responsibilities covering mine operations, project planning, coal logistics, and regulatory affairs. He further strengthened his professional credentials by completing an MBA in Energy Management from NTPC School of Business, Delhi.

Before his tenure at NCL, Shri Sairam served as Director (Technical) at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Ranchi. During this period, he played a pivotal role in strengthening coal logistics, implementing First Mile Connectivity projects, securing forest and environmental clearances, and projectising both greenfield and brownfield mining assets. His work significantly contributed to improving operational efficiency and regulatory compliance within the organisation. He has also been actively involved in community development initiatives during his earlier assignment as Executive Director at Coal India Limited.

At NCL, Shri Sairam’s leadership was marked by successful projectisation, structured project financing, and the design of a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation & resettlement framework for the relocation of an urban township. This initiative, undertaken for the Jayant expansion project, is regarded as the largest mining rehabilitation and resettlement programme in the sector and was completed within an accelerated one-year timeframe. His ability to build trust with local communities played a crucial role in the timely execution of these complex assignments. He also expedited multiple regulatory approvals for key mining projects, ensuring continuity of coal production.

Shri Sairam’s appointment comes at a critical juncture for Coal India Limited as it navigates operational expansion, sustainability goals, and evolving regulatory landscapes. His deep understanding of the coal mining ecosystem and proven administrative and technical capabilities are expected to significantly strengthen CIL’s leadership and strategic direction in the years ahead.