RailTel Secures ₹119.5 Crore Order from South Eastern Coalfields to Deploy Secure VPN Network

In a major push towards digital transformation in India’s coal sector, RailTel Corporation of India Ltd. has secured a significant ₹119.5 crore order from South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) to establish a robust and secure Virtual Private Network (VPN) across SECL’s extensive mining operations. This move underscores the growing focus on leveraging technology to enhance productivity, security, and connectivity in India’s critical mineral industries.

Modernizing Mining Connectivity

South Eastern Coalfields Limited, the largest coal-producing subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), operates multiple large-scale coal mines across Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh. The newly awarded RailTel project aims to deploy a dedicated MPLS-VPN network covering all key SECL operational sites including offices, mining zones, and remote locations.

The VPN network will:

• Provide secure and encrypted communication channels

• Enable real-time data transmission from mining equipment and monitoring systems

• Support centralized enterprise applications

• Improve surveillance, security, and operational efficiency

Scope of the Project

The ₹119.5 crore deal covers a comprehensive suite of ICT services, including:

• High-speed MPLS-VPN network design and deployment

• Last-mile fiber and wireless connectivity

• Centralized data management solutions

• Maintenance and support services over multiple years

RailTel, a Mini-Ratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, will bring its technical expertise in high-capacity network infrastructure and managed services to deliver critical connectivity solutions tailored for rugged and high-demand mining environments.

Strategic Significance

1. Digital Push in Mining Sector

The project is a part of the broader initiative by Coal India and its subsidiaries to implement IT-enabled smart mining practices. Real-time data sharing, remote monitoring of operations, and integrated communications are seen as crucial for improving productivity and worker safety.

2. Strengthening SECL’s Operational Infrastructure

This VPN rollout will help SECL:

• Optimize mine-to-market logistics

• Enable data-driven decision making

• Strengthen internal cybersecurity protocols

• Achieve greater operational transparency and regulatory compliance

3. RailTel’s Growing Role in Industry Digitization

RailTel has emerged as a key digital infrastructure partner across several sectors including railways, power, and now mining. The SECL project is part of its strategy to diversify into industrial ICT solutions beyond its traditional railways network domain.