Expansion in newer business will reduce funding dependence: Coal India CMD

Competition from private players is not a worrying factor for CIL. Their role will be complementary to ours, said Pramod Agarwal

National miner Coal India Limited (CIL) is standing at crossroads never witnessed during its existence so far. Apart from facing competition from private miners, and dealing with financiers who are moving away from fossil fuel, the company also faces the challenge of reducing employee strength and mining costs. In an interview with Shreya Jai, the Chairman and Managing Director of CIL, Pramod Agarwal, addressed the internal issues and future plans of the company. While he hopes the demand for coal to rise, CIL is spreading wings in other businesses. Edited excerpts:

With the Centre opening up the commercial coal mining