- Coal India Ltd plans to invest nearly ₹48,000 crore in rail connectivity and mechanized coal evacuation as it works towards producing 1 billion tonnes of coal annually by FY30, chairman and managing director B. Sairam said.
- The state-run miner is committing ₹50,000 crore with joint-venture partners to three coal gasification projects and exploring more projects with the governments of Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra.
- The infrastructure investments are intended to support CIL's target of producing 1 billion tonnes of coal annually by FY30, compared with its current annual production of about 770 million tonnes.
- CIL is also in talks with state governments in Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Maharashtra to set up additional coal gasification plants.
- CIL's infrastructure programme includes 72 first mile connectivity (FMC) projects that will add 994 million tonnes a year of handling capacity at around ₹24,560 crore by FY30, taking FMC capacity from 432 million tonnes currently.
- It is also developing seven major railway links spanning 553 km at an investment of around ₹23,463 crore, in partnership with the governments of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
Coal India Ltd (CIL) is set to invest ₹1 trillion in coal evacuation and gasification projects, targeting an annual production of 1 billion tonnes by fiscal year 2030 (FY30). This ambitious plan includes a ₹48,000 crore investment in rail connectivity and mechanized coal evacuation.13
CIL's chairman, B. Sairam, stated that the company is also committing ₹50,000 crore for three coal gasification projects in partnership with Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd, GAIL (India) Ltd, and Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd. Additionally, CIL is in discussions with the governments of Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra to establish more gasification plants.2
The infrastructure program encompasses 72 first mile connectivity (FMC) projects, which aim to mechanize coal evacuation and reduce reliance on road transport. These projects are expected to add 994 million tonnes of handling capacity at an investment of around ₹24,560 crore by FY30, increasing CIL's FMC capacity from 432 million tonnes currently.5
CIL is also developing seven major railway links spanning 553 km at an investment of approximately ₹23,463 crore, in collaboration with the state governments of Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand. This infrastructure investment is crucial for achieving CIL's production target of 1 billion tonnes annually, compared to its current output of about 770 million tonnes.6
Sairam emphasized the importance of stakeholder consultation regarding coal price revisions, stating, “Coal is a critical commodity, and even a marginal increase in its price can have a significant cascading impact on the cost of power and the broader economy.”
“The ₹50,000 crore gasification push includes joint ventures with BHEL, GAIL, and BPCL, with talks underway for additional plants in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. CIL also plans 72 first-mile connectivity projects to add 994 million tonnes of handling capacity by FY30.”
Livemint
