Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India under the Ministry of Coal, has implemented a Virtual Reality (VR)-based development program to provide safety and operational training to its workforce of 17,000 by 2026. With a budget of Rs 6.5 crore allocated for skill enhancement among coal miners, MCL aims to upgrade the technical skills of its operational workforce to achieve a coal production target of 300 million tonnes by 2026. This will contribute to Coal India's goal of achieving one billion tonnes of coal production. The VR-based training will save costs and time while providing objective feedback on trainees' skills. The launch of VR-based training marks a significant step towards digitalization in MCL's business processes. The initiative will cover 18 training modules and benefit both departmental employees and contract workers. MCL, known for introducing new technologies in its operations, is actively modernizing its business processes through collaboration with research and development institutions and industry experts. The VR training program, developed by Hyderabad-based company Concoct Human Resource Practitioners (CHRP-India), aims to create a simulated environment for training in various areas, including blasting, mine inspection, electrical safety, and maintenance. The program will provide a safe training environment for workers, allowing them to gain practical experience before engaging in coal mining or workshop activities while minimizing direct exposure to hazardous tasks during initial training and induction. MCL, which operates in Sundergarh, Jharsuguda, and Angul districts of Odisha, is the highest coal-producing subsidiary of Coal India. In the last financial year, it produced over 193 million tonnes of coal and dispatched a record 148 million tonnes to power plants.