In its ambitious quest to revolutionize India’s coal sector, the union government is spearheading a broad and strategic plan to accelerate infrastructure development and promote collaboration among key stakeholders. This initiative is a central component of the Ministry’s vision to establish India as a global leader in sustainable coal production and logistics, aligning with the overarching goal of a prosperous and developed nation by 2047.
A well-developed coal evacuation network is essential for enhancing India’s energy security, ensuring a steady and reliable coal supply to meet the escalating demands of the country’s power plants and industries. As part of this transformative strategy, the Ministry of Coal has introduced a strategic plan that emphasizes the development of crucial logistics projects.
This initiative supports the PM Gati Shakti vision of “Integrated planning and synchronized time-bound implementation,” a critical approach to achieving the ambitious goal of Viksit Bharat 2047. In line with this strategy, the Ministry of Coal has earmarked 38 priority rail projects under the coal logistics plan for expedited execution, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Railways.
These projects are pivotal for enhancing rail connectivity, ensuring timely coal delivery, and reducing logistics costs, thereby boosting the overall efficiency of coal transportation across the country. Among these priority initiatives, the government has recently sanctioned two significant rail projects in Odisha: The Sardega-Bhalumuda double line and the Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road single line.
The Sardega-Bhalumuda new double line, spanning 37.24 kilometers and traversing various coal blocks of the IB Valley and Mand-Raigarh Coalfield, will facilitate the efficient evacuation of coal from mines operated by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) as well as several private mines. This project is particularly crucial as it shortens the transportation distance to power plants in Northern India from Sardega, thus enhancing operational efficiency.
Similarly, the 138.32-kilometer Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road new single line will markedly improve coal evacuation from the Talcher Coalfield, providing a direct and shorter route to Nagpur and the western regions. This development is expected to significantly cut down logistics costs and enhance the overall efficiency of coal transportation from the Talcher area.
Under the visionary leadership of the Coal Minister, the Ministry of Coal remains steadfast in its commitment to fast-tracking these and other essential projects. This concerted effort aims to ensure that India’s coal sector not only addresses current energy needs but also lays the groundwork for a sustainable and developed nation by 2047.
