Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy Inaugurates 5G Use Case Test Lab at CMPDI Ranchi

Ranchi: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the state-of-the-art ‘5G Use Case Test Lab’ today at the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) in Ranchi. This innovative facility is designed to drive the coal sector’s Digital Transformation by testing and developing 5G-based applications tailored to meet the specific needs of the industry. The Ministry of Coal has designated CMPDI as a Centre of Excellence (COE) for establishing this 5G Use Case Test Lab to leverage the power of advanced technology effectively.

During the inauguration, Minister Reddy lauded CMPDI for its pioneering work in innovation and research, which is making mining operations safer, more efficient, and environmentally sustainable. He emphasized that CMPDI’s relentless efforts in research and development have positioned it as a leader in adopting cutting-edge technologies to address the evolving challenges of the mining sector.

The ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Vismita Tej, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal; P.M. Prasad, Chairman, Coal India Limited (CIL); Manoj Kumar, CMD, CMPDI; Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD, Central Coalfields Limited (CCL); and Satish Jha, CMD, Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), along with other dignitaries.

In addition to the lab inauguration, Minister Reddy unveiled a ‘Replica of CMPDI Services’ sculpture crafted from scrap materials such as Delivery Hose pipe, NQ Drilling Rod, and Core box. This symbolic artwork highlights CMPDI’s commitment to sustainable practices by creatively repurposing industrial waste into meaningful art. The sculpture intricately depicts CMPDI’s core services, including Geomatics, Exploration, Planning & Design, and Environmental Monitoring. Furthermore, the Minister inaugurated CMPDI’s new corporate logo, reflecting the institute’s evolution and its role in driving technological advancements in the coal sector.