Coal news and updates

ECL not getting enough rakes to despatch coal

February 09: Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), which has achieved slightly more than its coal production target till date, has complained of not getting enough number of rakes for evacuation of coal, particularly from Asansol Division of the Indian Railways.

Officials of ECL told ICMW that they are facing rake shortages right from the beginning of February and has sought intervention of Coal India Ltd (CIL) to take up the matter with the Railways.

“Our average rake receipt during the first five-six days of February was only 14.9 rakes per day whereas we are in a position to load as many as 22-23 rakes per day at present, because of improvement in production on various factors, including relaxation in environmental norms,” an official said.

He pointed out that the company had received an average of 17.9 rakes per day in February 2014, but the number has declined to 14.9 rakes per day in February this year.