Coal news and updates

Railways projects growth in coal freight

Indian Railways is anticipating increased freight loadings from the coal sector with the Centre removing hurdles in the allotment of coal blocks.

The public sector entity has said systemic improvements and innovative measures in the area of wagon movement need to be taken keeping in view the upcoming demand.

Railway Board Member (Traffic) Ajay Shukla felt that growth in the economy would result in increased potential for freight movement.

"There is an expected jump in coal loading as issues related to coal blocks have been cleared. The Government has chalked out a plan to provide round-the-clock power supply across the country in the next four years," he said.

The Member held a meeting with top officials of the South Central Railway zone here on Saturday.

"In this backdrop, there is a need to prepare a comprehensive plan for initiating systemic improvements," he said.

He asked the zone to take necessary measures to achieve a freight loading target of 128 million tonnes in the financial year 2015-16.

SCR General Manager P K Srivastava said the zone is gearing up to meet the increased demand from Singareni Collieries, ports in Krishnapatnam and Kakinada, and from the cement industry.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com