In 1935, the presence of black particles was discovered and the analysis led to the discovery of lignite reserves beneath the areas in and around Neyveli village. The Neyveli Lignite Corporation was formed as a corporate Body in 1956 by the Government of India and the mining of lignite started in 1962. The first thermal power station was commissioned in 1962 with assistance from the U.S.S.R.. NLC India Limited has been adjudged as the fastest growing Public Sector Enterprise by the Hindustan Times group based on a Study/survey by Price Waterhouse Cooper under the Navratna category
Geography and climate
Neyveli is located at. It has an average elevation of. It is located along with the Chennai-Thanjavur National Highway. Neyveli was a planned township and is sub-divided into 'blocks'. There are 32 blocks with each block measuring by separated by double-lane roads. Each block has streets which are uniquely named. The township houses nearly 15,000 houses and apartments. Neyveli has a low-moderate tropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. It has red soil, which is cultivable.
Demographics
As per 2011 census, population of Neyveli is 1,05,687; of which male and female are 53,442 and 52,245 respectively. Total literates are 90,114 of which 47,876 are males while 42,238 are females. Average literacy rate of Neyveli city is 90.98 percent of which male and female literacy was 95.86 and 86.01 percent. The sex ratio is 978 females per 1000 males. Child sex ratio of girls is 898 per 1000 boys. Total children are 6,634 with 3,496 boys and 3,138 girls.
The economy is based on the lignite mines and the associated thermal power stations. Other small industries include cashew nut, bricks, weaving and agriculture.
Transport
Transport inside the township is managed by NLC and has two bus stations for outstation connectivity. Neyveli has a railway station which lies on the Cuddalore-Salem railway line with daily passenger trains. The nearest major railway stations are Cuddalore Port Junction and Virudhachalam. The nearest airport is at Puducherry. The Airports Authority of India will spruce up Neyveli Airport and after the Union government awarded three-year rights to airlines to connect these towns to Chennai as part of its regional air connectivity scheme, UDAN.
Health Care
There are more than 30 hospitals in Neyveli. NLC having its own multi speciality hospital in NLC campus with best facilities. Also some of the notable hospitals are located in Neyveli. , Ponni hospital, Ulagamathi hospital,etc. SNS Hospitals is located in opposite to NLC Arch gate, Vadakuthu Neyveli, SNS Hospital one of the well known hospital in Neyveli, it is a multi speciality hospital in Neyveli with fully equipped facilities and world class treatments. SNS hospital has Modular Operation Theatre with Laminar Flow Facilities. SNS Hospital is the first hospital in Cuddalore district to have Modular Operation Theatre.