On October 3, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, inaugurated the foundation stone for the Karo Coal Handling Plant and the Konar Coal Handling Plant in the Bokaro and Kargali regions of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). These two significant projects have been designed with capacities of 7 million tonnes per annum and 5 million tonnes per annum, respectively.
The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Chandra Prakash Chaudhary, the Member of Parliament representing Giridih, Kumar Jayamangal (also known as Anoop Singh), the MLA for Bermo, PM Prasad, the Chairman of Coal India Limited, and Nilendu Kumar Singh, the CMD of CCL. Numerous senior officials from CCL, as well as representatives from workers’ unions and other stakeholders, also participated in the ceremony.
During the foundation-laying ceremony for the Konar project, Minister Dubey actively contributed to the environment by planting saplings as part of the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” initiative. The establishment of the Karo and Konar coal handling plants is expected to mark a pivotal advancement in enhancing First Mile Rail Connectivity.
This initiative will facilitate the transportation of coal extracted from the mines to the nearest railway circuit, allowing for more efficient transfer to thermal power plants and other consumers throughout India. Currently, coal from these mines is transported to railway sidings using road networks, which can be inefficient and time-consuming.
The Konar Coal Handling Plant is equipped with essential components, including a hopper, a crusher, and a coal storage bunker that has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes. Additionally, a 1.6 km long conveyor belt will facilitate the transfer of coal to railway wagons through a silo bunker that can hold up to 1,000 tonnes.
The total project cost for this plant, which has a capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum, is estimated to be ₹ 322 crores. The implementation of this project will dramatically reduce the current rake loading time from five hours to just one hour. This significant decrease will not only expedite coal dispatch but also enhance the availability of rakes for transportation.
Similarly, the Karo Coal Handling Plant will include a hopper, a crusher, and a coal storage bunker with a capacity of 15,000 tonnes. This plant will feature a 1 km long conveyor belt to efficiently transfer coal to railway wagons through a silo bunker capable of holding 4,000 tonnes. The projected cost for this facility, with a capacity of 7 million tonnes per annum, stands at ₹ 410 crores.
Both coal handling plants will employ closed-loop, fully mechanized systems that will enhance the speed and efficiency of coal dispatch. By reducing reliance on road transport, these projects are expected to lower diesel consumption significantly, as well as diminish dust and vehicle-related pollution in the surrounding areas. The development of the Karo and Konar Coal Handling Plants underscores a progressive step toward sustainable mining practices while bolstering infrastructure for coal distribution in India.
