Question : INFRASTRUCTURAL FACILITIES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF COAL

(a): whether the production of coal in the country is being affected due to inadequate transportation facilities;

(b): if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor;

(c): the total quantum of coal which could not be transported to the destination due to lack of transportation facilities during the last three years and the current year;

(d): the details of the projects affected so far; and

(e): the steps taken /being taken by the Government for providing adequate infrastructural facilities for the transportation of coal in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a)to(e): Amongst other factors, lack of adequate rail infrastructure for evacuation of coal has been a constraint on coal production in the country. In the case of CIL, the areas where lack of coal evacuation infrastructure has been a constraint on production include Basundhara Garjanbahal of MCL in Odisha and North Karanpura coalfields of CCL in Jharkhand. The implementation of Kulda OCP with an approved capacity of 10 Mty and Basundhara (West) OCP with an approved capacity of 7 Mty have been affected due to coal evacuation constraints. Similarly, Coal production in Magadh (20Mty) and Amrapali (12Mty) OCPs of North Karanpura coalfields of CCL could not be started thus far due to delay in construction of Tori Shivpur Rail infrastructure projects. The Ministry of Coal has requested Railways to expedite the construction of the critical rail links for coal evacuation.