The Indian Institute of Technology (Indian School of Mines), Dhanbad (IIT ISM Dhanbad), launched a five‑day Executive Development Programme (EDP) on “Electrical Safety in Mining Operations” on January 5. Organised by the Department of Electrical Engineering, the programme brings together 26 participants from various subsidiaries of Coal India Limited and other mining and energy organisations, aiming to enhance safety standards and technical competence in the sector.
The inaugural session was graced by Swami Vedantinanda, a monk of the Ramakrishna Order, who currently oversees a Polytechnic College and Skill Development Centre at Ramakrishna Mission Shilpamandira, Belur Math. In his address, Swami Vedantinanda highlighted the importance of professionalism, discipline, and ethical conduct in technical and industrial environments, especially in high‑risk domains such as mining.
Prof. Sukumar Mishra, Director of IIT ISM Dhanbad, presided over the ceremony and stressed the critical role of electrical safety, smart maintenance practices, and continuous professional development in creating safe, efficient, and sustainable mining operations. He underlined the urgency of upgrading safety systems and operator training in the context of India’s growing energy demands and expanding mining activities.
Senior faculty members, including Prof. Keka Ojha, Dean (Continuing Education Programme); Prof. Sukanta Das, Head, Department of Electrical Engineering; Prof. Nitai Pal, Professor and Course In‑charge; and Prof. Pradip Kumar Sadhu, Professor (HAG) and Co‑Course In‑charge, shared the programme’s objectives and technical focus. The EDP is structured to address key challenges in electrical safety in both underground and opencast mines, covering topics such as preventive and smart maintenance of mining equipment, compliance with statutory safety regulations, and the integration of emerging technologies like IoT and AI to improve monitoring, early warning, and incident prevention.
By combining classroom instruction with practical case studies and industry‑oriented discussions, the programme aims to equip participants with actionable knowledge that can be applied directly in mining workplaces, ultimately contributing to reduced accidents, higher operational efficiency, and a safer working environment across India’s mining sector.