An inter-disciplinary committee, comprising officials from Coal India, Ministry of Heavy Industries, NLC India, NTPC, and various other stakeholders, has made recommendations regarding encouraging domestic manufacturing of mining equipment through incentive schemes and standardisation.

The suggestion to incentivise manufacturers for designing, developing and making equipment locally for five years under the 'Make in India' initiative has been conveyed, even as a high volume of equipment requirement is expected in the next 10 years. The emphasis on standardisation aspect is in line with Coal India's existing equipment standardisation effort. 

The committee included representatives from Singareni Collieries Company, West Bengal Power Development Corporation, Bharat Earth Movers, Caterpillar India, and industry associations. 

Coal India currently imports high-capacity equipment like electric rope shovels, hydraulic shovels, dumpers, and others.