Coal news and updates

MCL Coal Production Set to Get A Fillip

Coal production from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is all set to get a fillip as Indian Railways is expected to complete the 52-km Barpali-Jharsuguda line by June 2016. Once commissioned, the line will solve evacuation problem in the coal-rich Basundhara fields in Sundargarh district.

Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MCL, AN Sahay travelled about 35 km on the proposed rail line project on motor trolley with the construction officials of the Railways on Wednesday. He also inspected the progress of related works for completion of the rail project. The railway construction authorities assured that the rail link would be complete by June 2016.

The proposed rail link will be a shot in the arm for MCL, which is looking for coal evacuation solution to increase coal production from its Basundhara and Siarmal project areas under Ib Valley Coalfields.

Despite having all resources and capabilities to increase production, MCL at present has restricted production and evacuates only 10 million tonnes of coal through road.

Completion of single-line at an estimated cost of `1,007 crore, is projected to increase off-take from MCL by 35 million tonnes.

This would increase the dispatch to 45 million tonne from the Basundhara and Siarmal project areas, which would further feed about nine million tonne to its proposed 800 X 2 MW super critical thermal power plant within the area.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com