BRS leader seeks withdrawal of Venkatapur open-cast coal project

By Staff Report 1 October 6, 2026 7:06 pm IST

BRS leader B Vinod Kumar has urged the Centre and Telangana government to withdraw the Venkatapur coal project, citing risks to Ramappa Temple.

Former MP and BRS leader B Vinod Kumar has urged the Centre and Telangana government to withdraw the proposed PVNR open-cast coal mining project at Venkatapur in Mulugu district, Telangana.

Kumar said the proposed mine could endanger the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ramappa Temple and the ancient Kakatiya irrigation system. He said the project’s coal reserves were expected to last about 19 years, while the heritage assets represented nearly 800 years of history.

According to Kumar, a report submitted by the Kakatiya Heritage Trust to Union Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy stated that the proposed mine would be around 300 metres deep and approximately 5 km downstream of Ramappa Temple and Ramappa Lake. Kumar also referred to concerns raised in the report regarding geological faults, fractures, groundwater movement and the potential impact of repeated blasting vibrations on the structural stability of the temple.

He said the World Heritage Committee had welcomed efforts to extend the Ramappa site’s buffer zone to include the ancient Kakatiya irrigation system, canals and Ramappa Lake. UNESCO has encouraged submission of the proposal for the extension by February 1, 2027, he said.

Kumar clarified that he was not opposed to development, Singareni Collieries or the country’s energy requirements, but said alternative locations could be considered for coal mining. He urged the Centre and Telangana government to withdraw the project, deny permissions and clearances, and protect the temple, lake and irrigation network.

Meanwhile, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) rejected concerns that the proposed mining project could threaten Ramappa Temple, describing them as misconceptions and baseless. The company said it would proceed only after a comprehensive scientific assessment of the project’s potential impact.

SCCL said scientific studies would be conducted by the Archaeological Survey of India and other reputed institutions, with further action based on their findings and recommendations. The company reiterated that it would not undertake any activity that could damage Ramappa Temple.

Source: Times of India