Single Window Clearance System is the innovative endeavour of the Ministry of Coal conceptualized and launched on 11.01.2021 that facilitates obtaining clearances and approvals required for the smooth operationalization of coal mines in India as well as augmentation of coal production in the country through a single gateway. Various statutory provisions viz approval of Mining Plan and Mine Closure Plan, Grant of Mining Lease, Environment and Forest Clearances, Consent to Establish, Consent to Operate, Wild Life Clearance Permission for Explosive and Safety Organization (PESO) for storage of Explosive, Land Acquisition Module, Safety Management Plan (with DGMS), Central Ground Water clearance, etc. are pre-requisite for starting of a coal mine.

These clearances are being granted by various Central Ministries and State Government departments/agencies. This portal maps all the statutory clearances required (covering Central Ministries as well as State Government departments/agencies) for starting a coal mine. The portal is to map not only the relevant application formats but also map process flow for grant of the approval/clearances and integration with online portals through API.

To facilitate ease of doing business, a unified platform of SWCS is designed which includes an already operational module for approval of Mining plan and Mine closure plan in a time-bound manner. The Mining Plan module is live and helps the allottees to get the approval early as compared to the earlier offline process. The allottee can check the status of the application at each and every stage and the time of observation and compliance is limited to 15 days for both parties.

Additionally, on 07.11.2024, the Ministry of Coal launched a module on the Single Window Clearance Web portal for processing and issuing Mine Opening/ Seam Opening Permissions, which are granted by the Coal Controller Organization. This initiative is designed to streamline and expedite the process of obtaining Mine Opening/Seam Opening Permissions for starting new coal mines or opening new coal seams. The digital platform enables project proponents to submit applications online, removing the need for manual paperwork and greatly reducing processing time. Applicants can also track the status of their applications in real time, promoting greater transparency and accountability throughout the clearance process. By simplifying this critical component of the coal mining regulatory framework, the Ministry of Coal aims to create a more efficient and investment-friendly environment within the industry.

Integration with Parivesh 1.0 (MOEF and CC) for obtaining EC, FC & WL was completed earlier; and with the portal's upgrade to Parivesh 2.0, the integration with SWCS has been finalized, tested, and being implemented. This upgrade ensures enhanced functionality, improved user experience, and seamless data exchange of key fields from SWCS web portal to Parivesh Portal, paving the way for more efficient processing and management of environmental and forest clearances, as well as wildlife approvals, upon integration.

SWCS has also been successfully integrated with the National Single Window System (NSWS) as part of the Digital India initiative. This integration enables seamless data exchange via APIs, allowing project proponents to register through NSWS.

Furthermore, the Exploration and approval of the Geological Report which is being facilitated through an online system, which is under development by the CMPDIL.

Ministry of Coal has also added in its kitty of SWCS i.e. Project Information & Management Module which was launched on 14.06.2022 and is live on the portal with screens PRIMS Agreement Form, Vested Clearances, Clearances, Amendments/Corrigendum, Production Target Form and Daily Production, Monthly Production report screens, Daily Production Reconciliation, Performance Bank Guarantee, Upfront payments, and Monthly Payments, etc. which is likely to facilitate project proponent as well as Ministry and State officials in monitoring and expeditious implementation of coal mines.

The Project Proponent in this module can submit the information related to the project as per CMDPA and Vesting Order. The form (PRIMS form) submitted by the allottee is verified by the Ministry officials at different levels and the movement of the application is visible to the proponent promoting transparency. Further, on approval of PRIMS form, the allottee can upload the Daily Production and dispatch data on the web portal, which helps to monitor the production and dispatch in a profound manner by the Ministry. Further, the allottee can also upload the Status of Clearances, Monthly payments, Performance Bank Guarantee etc. This module (PRIMS) also helps as the straight communication tool between the allottees and the Ministry and helps in the progress of the Mine efficiently to make it operationalize. Further, the provision is being made in the PRIMS module to make a request with the Ministry directly on the web portal for smooth disbursal of their issues in a timely manner.

Furthermore, digital acceptance of objections under Section 8 (1) of the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition & Development) Act, 1957 has been implemented, and the SRS for the Land Acquisition Module has been finalized and Development of module is under process. Development of 5 yearly Submission report of approved mining plan is also under process. Furthermore, the development of Grant of Mine Opening Permission has also been completed and the UAT (User Acceptance Testing) is currently under process. The same shall be available on the live portal soon for the stakeholders. Further, development of exploration module, PL cum ML, etc. are the next major targets to be achieved in the development of this portal.