Industrial Visit NLC
On 27th July (Saturday), students from the 2nd and 3rd year visited NLC India Limited (formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation) as part of an industrial visit aimed at providing hands-on exposure to large-scale lignite mining and thermal power generation. NLC, a ‘Navratna’ public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, has been a pioneer in India’s energy sector since its establishment in 1956. The visit began with a tour of the vast open-cast lignite mines, where students witnessed advanced mining equipment such as bucket-wheel excavators, conveyor systems, and earth movers in action.
They gained insights into the geological formation of lignite, safety protocols, and environmental measures including dewatering and slope stabilization.
The visit continued to the thermal power station, where students observed the entire energy generation process—from using lignite as boiler fuel to steam generation, turbine operation, and electricity transmission. They also learned about pollution control systems like ESPs and FGD units. A major highlight of the visit was learning about NLC’s sustainability efforts, including large-scale afforestation, treated water reuse, and land reclamation initiatives that convert mined-out land into green zones or water bodies. The visit also honored the legacy of Jambulinga Mudhaliar, whose donation of 620 acres of land laid the foundation for NLC’s development and regional upliftment. Overall, the experience provided valuable insights into industrial operations, energy production, and sustainable practices, reinforcing theoretical knowledge with real-world application.
