Kolkata: Shri B. Sairam has officially taken charge as the Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD) of Coal India Limited (CIL) effective December 15, 2025. This appointment follows a distinguished tenure as the CMD of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a key wholly-owned subsidiary of CIL, underscoring his proven capability within the sector.
Shri Sairam brings with him an extensive and rich experience of over three decades in dedicated service to the coal industry. His career is characterized by deep expertise across various facets of coal mining, including mine operations, project planning, logistics, and critical regulatory affairs. An accomplished professional, he holds a graduate degree in mining engineering from NIT Raipur and further enhanced his strategic skills with an MBA in Energy Management from the NTPC School of Business, Delhi.
Before his leadership role at NCL, Shri Sairam served as Director (Technical) at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) in Ranchi. During his time at CCL, he was instrumental in driving significant progress, particularly in the development of efficient coal logistics, the implementation of First Mile Connectivity projects, securing crucial Forest and Environment Clearances, and successfully projectizing both greenfield and brownfield mines. Furthermore, his previous stint as Executive Director at CIL saw him play a pivotal role in shaping and executing important community development initiatives.
His transformative impact was clearly visible at NCL. Under his leadership, the company achieved remarkable success in structuring project financing and, notably, developing a comprehensive compensation and Resettlement and Rehabilitation (R&R) framework for the shifting of an urban township for the Jayant expansion project. This achievement, considered the largest mining R&R program, was completed within an unprecedented one-year timeframe, a testament to his strong command in earning and maintaining community trust. He also adeptly fast-tracked multiple regulatory clearances, ensuring an uninterrupted production cycle for a vital mining project.
With his multi-pronged knowledge and strategic understanding of the entire coal mining ecosystem, Shri Sairam is exceptionally positioned to guide CIL through its future challenges and opportunities. His leadership is expected to be a significant asset, steering the organization toward continued growth, operational excellence, and sustainable development in the years ahead.