Union Secretary of Coal Anil Swarup on Monday said the Coal Ministry has set a target to increase coal production to one billion tonne by 2019.
While the Coal India Limited (CIL) has set a target to produce 1,000 million tonne of coal by 2019, the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), one of its subsidiaries, has also aimed at increasing its output to 200 million tonne from 110 million tonne, Swarup told reporters after a high-level review meeting here.
Making a special reference to Jharsuguda-Barpali railway project, Swarup said the project is critical from the view point of coal transport. Stating that the progress of this 53-km project is very rapid, he said, “We have set a deadline to complete the project by December 2017”.
The Jharsuguda-Barpali rail link project is part of the three inter-state rail corridor projects proposed by CIL, which are dedicated to coal evacuation in Maoist-affected areas of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Replying to queries, Swarup said, “We have reviewed 15 projects and found that critical issues relating to many coal blocks have been addressed to and resolved by State Government.”
The joint review meeting between the State Government and the Centre has also set a deadline to complete the Angul-Sukinda railway project by December 2017. In the initial phase, 30-35 million tonne coal would be transported while it would be increased to 200 million tonne by 2019, Swarup said.
Recently, the Container Corporation of India (Concor) decided to invest `156 crore for 26 per cent equity in the Angul-Sukinda railway line project which is being constructed under the public-private partnership (PPP) mode. The project will provide rail link to the steel and power plants located in Angul, Dhenkanal and Jajpur districts.
Besides Concor, Rail Vikas Nigam Limited, Odisha Mining Corporation, JSPL and Idco are the other stake-holders who have set up a special purpose vehicle, Angul-Sukinda Rail Line (ASRL) to develop the project.
Two other rail links being developed in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh are important for coal transportation, said Swarup.
Chief Secretary GC Pati advised the MCL authorities to prepare a comprehensive exit plan for exhausted coal mines involving State Government so that the area can be rehabilitated appropriately for creation of livelihood options and conservation of environment.
During the review, MCL authorities said the company’s different projects were facing hurdles due to lack of forest clearance.
(Source - The New Indian Express, Nov 11, 2014)
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