Penned By – Prisita Das
India’s energy landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, balancing the growing demand for reliable energy with the need for technological advancement, operational efficiency and environmental responsibility. At the heart of this transformation lies the coal sector, which continues to play a vital role in supporting the country’s industrial and economic development. Leading this journey at South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is Shri Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), whose professional journey reflects over three decades of experience in mining operations, project management and strategic leadership.
Shri Duhan assumed charge as CMD of South Eastern Coalfields Limited on 26 March 2025, bringing with him more than 35 years of experience in the coal mining industry. His appointment marked an important milestone in a career built through diverse operational and leadership responsibilities across Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries.
His professional journey began in 1989 with Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), where he entered the coal industry after completing his engineering education. Over the years, he took on several responsibilities across the mining sector, gaining practical experience in mine operations, production planning and project execution. Before assuming leadership at SECL, he served as Director (Technical – Operations) at Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) from March 2024. Earlier, he held the position of General Manager at Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), including responsibilities associated with the Nigahi Area.
A key dimension of Duhan’s professional expertise is his involvement in major operational and infrastructure initiatives within the coal industry. His experience includes the implementation of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects, digitisation initiatives and the development of solar projects within Coal India. These initiatives reflect the growing importance of modern infrastructure, technology integration and energy diversification in the mining ecosystem.
His academic and technical qualifications have provided a strong foundation for his career. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mining from Nagpur College of Engineering and possesses a First-Class Certificate of Competency to Manage a Coal Mine, awarded by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Dhanbad, in 1988. He also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM) from IGNOU in 1998, combining technical knowledge with managerial capabilities.
Under his leadership, SECL’s priorities include strengthening production capabilities, improving coal quality, accelerating infrastructure development and promoting environmentally responsible mining. The organisation has also taken steps towards technological innovation, including the adoption of paste-fill technology in underground mining, an initiative aimed at strengthening mine safety and sustainability. Its efforts towards greater inclusion are reflected in the inauguration of Coal India’s first fully women-operated dispensary at SECL headquarters in July 2025.
As India’s energy requirements continue to grow, the coal industry faces the challenge of ensuring consistent production while embracing modernisation and responsible resource management. Duhan’s extensive experience across mining operations, project planning, connectivity infrastructure and technology-driven initiatives places these priorities at the centre of his leadership journey.
His professional trajectory represents the evolution of a mining engineer into an industry leader, navigating the operational complexities of one of India’s most strategically important sectors. At SECL, his leadership journey is closely connected with the larger objective of strengthening India’s energy infrastructure while moving towards safer, more efficient and sustainable mining practices.
