India’s total coal production rose 18% year-on-year to 448 million tonnes (MT) in October, the Ministry of Coal said on Thursday. Coal India’s production also rose more than 17%.
“The Ministry of Coal is planning to build stock at domestic coal-based plants to the tune of 30 million tonnes by the end of November, 2022,” the statement reads.
According to the ministry, it has plan to keep building the stock so that by the end of 31 March, 2023, thermal power plants stock increase to 45 million tonnes. It is further planned to enhance coal stock at the pithead.
During the first seven months this year, there is 9 % growth in average rakes per day availability which is helping to transport higher quantity of coal and building up stocks at power plants.
Ministry of Power is also augmenting transportation of coal through rail-cum-road mode. CIL has communicated quota for RCR mode of lifting to all the power generating companies for next eight months. This will help power generating companies to plan transportation logistics in advance.
According to the ministry of power, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Ministry of Power, Railways and Coal are working together to promote transportation of coal through sea route. So far transportation of coal from MCL to Paradip by rail and thereafter to power plants on Eastern Coast is being made through rail-sea-rail route.
Government is promoting transportation of coal from coal mines in eastern parts of the country to power plants located on the western coast or northern parts of the country, it said.
Accordingly, capacity of coal transportation to Paradip is being augmented. It is planned to start movement of coal for western coast plants through RSR by early next year. The government is planning to promote transportation of coal through all three possible modes.
Ministry of Coal is closely monitoring issues related to production, transportation and quality of domestic coal.
Source: Livemint
