Kolkata: Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy reviewed the performance of Coal India Limited (CIL) at a meeting in Kolkata, with the company’s current production and supply position and its roadmap to achieve 1 billion tonnes of coal production by FY 2029-30 forming the key areas of discussion.
The meeting also reviewed measures to ensure adequate coal availability for the power sector and strengthen the infrastructure required to support higher production and evacuation.
Coal India’s Production and Supply Position Reviewed
The review examined Coal India’s current production and supply performance, with particular focus on measures being undertaken to maintain adequate coal availability for the power sector.
The Minister also reviewed production plans of CIL’s subsidiary companies and their strategies for strengthening coal output over the coming years.
Key areas reviewed included:
- Current coal production and supply position.
- Subsidiary-wise production plans.
- Measures to increase coal output.
- Coal availability for the power sector.
- Resource mobilisation to support higher production.
Focus on 1 Billion Tonne Coal Production Target
A major focus of the meeting was Coal India’s roadmap to achieve 1 billion tonnes of coal production by FY 2029-30.
The review assessed the measures required to substantially increase production capacity and ensure that the associated logistics and evacuation infrastructure can handle higher volumes of coal.
The production target will require coordinated efforts across mining operations, transportation infrastructure and resource mobilisation.
Underground Coal Production Gets Emphasis
The Minister also reviewed plans to augment underground coal production, which is expected to form an important part of Coal India’s long-term production strategy.
CIL and its subsidiaries are examining measures to strengthen underground mining capacity alongside other production activities.
The review covered the progress of underground coal production and the strategies being considered to increase output from such mining operations.
First Mile Connectivity and Rail Infrastructure Reviewed
The meeting also assessed the progress of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects, railway infrastructure development and coal evacuation systems.
These infrastructure projects are important for moving coal efficiently from mines to consumption centres, particularly as production volumes increase.
The infrastructure review covered:
- First Mile Connectivity projects.
- Railway infrastructure development.
- Coal evacuation systems.
- Transportation arrangements.
- Resource mobilisation for increased production.
Coal Evacuation Capacity to Support Higher Production
The review also examined transportation and evacuation arrangements required to handle the expected increase in coal production.
Strengthening evacuation infrastructure will be important for ensuring that additional coal output can be transported efficiently and supplied to the power sector.
Coal India is therefore working on expanding production capacity alongside the logistics infrastructure needed for higher coal movement.
Coal India Leadership Participates in Review
Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal and Coal India participated in the meeting.
The meeting was attended by:
- G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines
- Vikram Dev Dutt, Coal Secretary
- B. Sairam, Chairman, Coal India Limited
- Mukesh Choudhary, Director (Marketing & HR), Additional Charge
- Mukesh Agrawal, Director (Finance), CIL
- Achyut Ghatak, Director (Technical), CIL
- Asheesh Kumar, Director (Business Development), CIL
CMDs of Coal India’s subsidiary companies also participated in the review, both physically and through virtual mode.
Coal India’s Long-Term Production Strategy
The review comes as Coal India works towards increasing its production capacity while maintaining uninterrupted coal supplies to the power sector.
The company’s long-term strategy involves strengthening mining operations, expanding underground production, improving First Mile Connectivity and developing railway and evacuation infrastructure.
Together, these measures are aimed at supporting Coal India’s 1 billion tonne production target by FY 2029-30 and strengthening the logistics network required to handle higher coal production.
About Coal India Limited
Coal India Limited (CIL) is a Maharatna public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. It is the country’s largest coal-producing company and operates through multiple subsidiary companies engaged in coal mining and related activities. CIL supplies coal to key sectors, particularly the power, steel and other industrial sectors.
