Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: Ayaskant Kanungo, born in Bhubaneswar, has charted a remarkable course in the energy sector. A graduate of NIT Rourkela with a degree in electrical engineering and an MBA in finance, Kanungo’s professional journey took him from Siemens in Germany to significant leadership roles in India, culminating in his current position as Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Odisha Coal and Power Limited (OCPL), a state PSU of Odisha. Under his guidance, OCPL has evolved from a fledgling state-run company into a national leader in coal mining sector, with a vision for the future that continues to push the boundaries of innovation and excellence.
Founded in 2015 as a joint venture company of Odisha Power Generation Corporation Limited (OPGC) and Odisha Hydro Power Corporation Ltd (OHPC) , OCPL was created to mine and supply coal, primarily for OPGC’s Power plants. Despite being a relatively young company, OCPL has quickly established itself as a top performer in the coal industry, achieving significant milestones such as a 150% growth in coal production and dispatch, a 5-star rating for its mines for three consecutive years and a demonstrating high efficiency with minimal manpower.
In this interview, Ayaskant Kanungo delves into the challenges, achievements, and future ambitions of OCPL, while also sharing his personal philosophy and vision for the company’s growth.
Q: What is the vision and aim of OCPL under your leadership?
OCPL was established in 2015 with the goal of becoming one of the best coal mining companies in India. We have already made significant strides, earning a 5-star rating from the Ministry of Coal for three consecutive years, a distinction shared by only 7 to 8 other companies in the country. Our turnover has reached ₹2000 crores and when compared to our peers like Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL), Northern Coalfields (NCL), Western Coal Field (WCL) all Coal India Giants, our manpower-to-turnover ratio is highest among all the Coal industries in India. My personal vision is to see OCPL become a pioneering company, akin to Coal India. I am confident we can achieve a turnover of ₹10,000 crores within the next five to 6 years. We are also working towards acquiring more coal mines, which will help us reach a turnover of ₹7,000 to ₹8,000 crores in the next 3 to 4 years.
Q: As COO, what challenges and responsibilities do you face at OCPL?
The primary challenge we face is the saturation of the coal market, with demand decreasing as production by Coal India, NLC etc. are increasing every year. To navigate this, we must optimize our operational costs and enhance efficiency across all fields. The coal business is unique in its own. Coal cannot be economically transported over long distances by road, so our market is limited to a 100-200 km radius from our mines. Competing with larger companies like MCL which had a production target of 180 million tons last year, requires us to be strategic and efficient in order to survive and thrive in the business.
Q: What are your personal goals for OCPL in the near future?
I keep on focusing on small and tangible targets which we can achieve. Over the next 100 days, my focus is on selling surplus Coals and to liquidate all our Coal stocks. We are focusing on our system improvement. We are also going for the ISO certification in all the fields of our operation like ISO 9001 and ISO 45001 etc. We have also deployed our dedicated team for doing the tangible CSR work in the Sundergarh district as a whole. I am personally working towards reducing our carbon footprints. I wish to make OCPL as a debt free company before I hang my boots. These are some of our immediate targets that will set the foundation for our longer-term success.
Q: What changes would you like to see in both the government and in your team?
The government has been very supportive, both under the current and previous administrations. From my team, I expect even more. We need to operate with minimal resources while maximizing profits, which requires a highly educated, motivated and efficient workforce. It’s important to note that OCPL does not receive budgetary allocation from the government; we meet our own financial needs from our internal accruals and from banks.
Q: Who has inspired you throughout your career?
I draw inspiration from several people. Shri Nikunja Dhal,IAS is a role model for me. I deeply admire Utkalmani Gopabandhu Das, whose life and work have influenced me greatly. Another significant influencer in my life is our current Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi ji.
Q: What recent achievements are you most proud of at OCPL?
Earning a 5-star rating for our mines for three consecutive years is a major accomplishment, as very few other mine in India have achieved this. Additionally, we’ve consistently meet our production targets over the past few years, resulting in substantial profits. We have developed a healthy relationship with our neighbour villages. Our mine has bagged many awards from various prestigious organisations like FIMI, Coal India, Interview Times and Sambad Group.
Q: What personal goals do you have for the people you work with?
Our Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) colony is a model for others across India. People from different industries and states visit our R&R colony to learn from us and implement similar practices in their own regions. Recently, NABARD declared our R&R colony a pilot project. One of my personal goal is to make the young boys and girls of this rehabilitation colony educated, self-reliant and responsible. Another goal on which we have made considerable progress is to make the colonies free from alcohol addiction. I am also continuously working towards bringing improvement in the official and social life of all our employees including the stake holders. I wish to see everyone in OCPL family to be happy, always.
Q: What message would you like to share with the youth?
My message to the youth of Odisha is simple: work for the state, work for the people, and never work solely for money. If you dedicate yourself to serving your community, the rewards—financial and otherwise—will naturally follow. My life has been guided by the teachings of Gopabandhu Das and I believe that doing something meaningful for your state and people is the true measure of success. Money is not everything; making a positive impact is what truly matters.
Through his leadership at OCPL, Ayaskant Kanungo is not only driving the company towards greater heights but also inspiring others with his dedication to making a difference in the community. His vision for OCPL reflects a commitment to sustainability, efficiency and growth, all while keeping the larger goal of contributing to India’s development at the forefront.
