Mining poses no threat to Ramappa Temple: Singareni

HYDERABAD

The management of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) on Monday (October 5, 2026) clarified that reports claiming that mining activities by Singareni pose a threat to the world heritage site of Ramappa Temple in Mulugu district, Telangana, are “merely misconceptions and are completely untrue”.

To proceed only after scientific study

On the proposed Venkatapur Open Cast project to be undertaken by Singareni at Venkatapur in Mulugu district, the public sector coal company clarified that it has decided to proceed only after conducting a comprehensive scientific study. It stated that further action would be taken strictly on the basis of scientific reports to be submitted by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and other reputed institutions.

As a responsible PSU of the Telangana Government, the Singareni management stated that it would not cause any damage, whatsoever, to Ramappa Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and reiterated its commitment to protecting it. It has reaffirmed that environmentally sustainable and legally compliant mining operations remain among the Singareni’s highest priorities.

Meanwhile, working president of the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) K.T. Rama Rao has alleged that the Revanth Reddy government in the State is conspiring to destroy the heritage sites to exploit the mineral wealth (coal) under such sites.

Blasting and excavation to unearth the coal reserves in the area would harm the UNESCO heritage site having rare sculptural splendour. The open cast coal mining there would threaten the very existence of Ramappa Temple as also the Ramappa lake, he said.

He stated that BRS would strongly oppose any attempt to damage or destroy the cultural heritage and demanded that the government (Singareni) withdraw any proposal to have an open cast mine near the heritage site.