Singrauli district is one of the districts in the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. It is a significant hub for energy production due to its vast coal reserves and power plants, earning it the title "Energy Capital of India."
Historically ruled by local Maharajas until 1947, the district underwent major transformation in the mid-20th century with the construction of the Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar dam and the discovery of rich coal deposits. The district has a diverse population, predominantly Hindu, with significant Scheduled Castes and Tribes.
History
Previously, Singrauli was ruled by the Maharajas of the Singrauli State until the monarchy was abolished in 1947. The district's headquarters is located at Waidhan, and it was once the largest district in the Bagelkhand Division of Vindhya Pradesh.
In the mid-20th century, significant changes occurred as a large dam was constructed on the River Rihand. This dam, known as Govind Vallabh Pant Sagar, was inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru in 1962. The discovery of rich coal deposits spanning 2,200 km2 in Madhya Pradesh (eastern Sidhi district) and Uttar Pradesh (southern Sonebhadra district) near this artificial lake positioned Singrauli as a major electricity-generating region.
Singrauli is also home to ancient rock-cut caves, created between the 7th and 8th centuries AD. Located 32 km from Waidhan in Mada tehsil, these caves include notable sites such as Vivah Mada, Ganesh Mada, Shankar Mada, Jaljalia, and Ravan Mada.
In addition to these caves, Singrauli features painted rock shelters, such as those at Ranimachi, Dholagiri, and Goura Pahad, situated in Chitrangi tehsil. These shelters date back to the Mesolithic age, characterized by microlithic tool cultures, and showcase early examples of Indian art made with red ochre.
Despite its cultural and economic significance, Singrauli faces challenges such as pollution threatening its historical sites. Additionally, the district struggles with poor road connectivity and inadequate transportation services, issues that have persisted for years without resolution.[citation needed]
Geography
The Singrauli district covers an area of 5,672 square kilometres (2,190 sq mi).[1]
According to the 2011 census of India, Singrauli district has a population of 1,178,273,[5] roughly equal to the nation of Timor-Leste[6] or the US state of Rhode Island.[7] This gives it a ranking of 402nd in India (out of a total of 640).[5] The district has a population density of 208 inhabitants per square kilometre (540/sq mi).[5] Its population growth rate over the decade 2001-2011 was 28.03%.[5] Singrauli has a sex ratio of 916 females for every 1000 males,[5] and a literacy rate of 62.36%. 19.25% of the population lives in urban areas. Scheduled Castes and Tribes made up 12.79% and 32.59% of the population respectively. The largest tribes are the Gonds, who are 50% of the tribal population, and Kols, 16% of the tribal population.[5]
At the time of the 2011 Census of India, 89.59% of the population in the district spoke Hindi, 4.49% Bagheli, and 1.64% Gondi as their first language.[8]
Education
Singrauli district is home Veena Vandini School, a unique ambidextrous school in Budhela where students are taught to write simultaneously with both hands. The school was created by a former Army soldier Shri V.P. Sharma in July 1999.[9][10]
Economy
Singrauli is also known as Energy Capital of India. The Rihand Dam was built in 1961 across the Rihand River at Pipri in the neighbouring district of Sonbhadra, in Uttar Pradesh.[11] Later, rich coal deposits spread over an area of 2,200 square kilometres (850 sq mi) across the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh were discovered close to the artificial lake, Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar formed by the Rihand Dam. That led to the transformation and development of the area.[2]
Coal mining and power
Northern Coalfields is the major business of the district. The headquarters of the company are at Singrauli. The company is a subsidiary of Coal India, which is the largest coal producing company in world.[citation needed]
The Singrauli Coalfield can be divided into two basins, viz. Moher sub-basin (312 km2.) and Singrauli Main basin (1890 km2.). The major part of the Moher sub-basin lies in the Sidhi district of Madhya Pradesh and a small part lies in the Sonebhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. Singrauli main basin lies in the western part of the coalfield and is largely unexplored. The present coal mining activities and future blocks are concentrated in Moher sub-basin. Lignite is the form of coal excavated from these coal mines. These coal mines are a hub for the Heavy Earth Moving Machines (HEMM).
The exploration carried out by GSI/NCDC/CMPDI has proved abundant resource of power grade coal in the area. This in conjunction with easy water resource from Govind Ballabh Pant Sagar makes this region an ideal location for high capacity pithead power plants. The coal supplies from NCL has made it possible to produce more than 11000 MW of electricity from pithead power plants of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), The region is now called the Energy Capital of India. The ultimate capacity of power generation of these power plants is 13295 MW and NCL is fully prepared to meet the increased demand of coal for the purpose. In addition, NCL supplies coal to power plants of Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam, Delhi Vidyut Board (DVB) and Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited.
All major companies operating in Singrauli are giants of Indian energy industry. The operations of companies include mining of coal to power generation. In recent past, several private companies have also joined the league of companies operating in Singrauli. It is expected by 2017, that Singrauli would feed around 35,000 MW of electrical power to the grid alone.
Major companies operating or coming up at Singrauli are:[12]
1260 MW (6X210 MW) under Stage-I, 1000 MW (2X500 MW) of Stage-II and 1000 MW (2X500 MW) under Stage-III. Total=3260 and 1000MW of Stage-IV is under construction.
With international assistance of USSR-stage I, World bank under time slice loan stage II
coal supplies made it possible to produce about 13295 MW of electricity from pithead power plants of NTPC, UPRVUNL and Renupower division of M/s. Hindalco Industries
Thickest coal seam of India-131 metres (Jhingurda seam)
from SasanUMPP (2 No 765 kV S/C Sasan - Satna Transmission lines) and Vindhyachal Stage-IV (400 kV DC (Quad)Vindhyachal - Vindhyachal Pooling line), 2 No 765 kV S/C from Vindhyachal Pooling to Satna Sub-Station, a 765/400 kV Pooling substation near Vindhyachal Stage-IV (1000 MW), Rihand Stage-III (1000 MW) as well as Aryan Coal Benefication Pvt Ltd. (1200 MW) Generation Projects
