Indian govt to upgrade coal logistics infra with Rs 50k cr revamp

July 15, 2020: Anil Kumar Jain, secretary, ministry of coal informed that the Indian government is ready to spend Rs 50,000 crore to improve the coal evacuation infrastructure to support the industry which will further improve coal transportation.

This comes in the context of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's June 18 announcement of auctioning 41 coal blocks in the country for commercial mining under the Aatma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Addressing the webinar Stakeholders Consultation on Auction of Coal Mines for Commercial Mining, organized by FICCI, Jain said, "The year 2020 is much different from 2008 or 2010 when old coal blocks were given. We would be making the additional investment in the eastern part of India including Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Odisha to ramp up coal evacuation in the country."

“In order to support the industry and improve logistics in the coal sector, the ministry is also in touch with the Railways to enhance the network for coal transportation. We don't expect you to buy mines and also build rail corridors. The government is very alive to your issues. The government will be willing to support the industry to provide new railway lines or loops," he continued.

Dilip Chenoy, secretary General, FICCI said, "We believe that the involvement of the private sector will increase production and make India self-sufficient in meeting its internal coal requirements. We are excited with the prospect of the opening up of the coal sector."