New Delhi: To reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency in coal transportation, the Centre on Thursday said it has identified 38 priority rail projects under the coal logistics plan that will be fast-tracked in close coordination with the Ministry of Railways.
Among these projects, the government has recently approved two significant rail projects in Odisha -- the Sardega-Bhalumuda double line and the Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road single line, Ministry of Coal said in its statement.
The 37.24-km Sardega-Bhalumuda new double line, passing through various coal blocks of the IB Valley and Mand-Raigarh Coalfield, will help in the evacuation of coal from mines operated by Coal India arm Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd and several private mines.
The project is strategic as it reduces the transportation distance to power plants in the northern part of the country from Sardega, thereby enhancing efficiency.
Similarly, the 138.32-km long Bargarh Road-Nawapara Road new single line will significantly improve coal evacuation from the Talcher Coalfield, providing a direct and shorter route towards Nagpur and the western regions.
This project is likely to substantially reduce logistics costs and improve the overall efficiency of coal transportation from the Talcher region.
A robust coal evacuation network is critical for bolstering India’s energy security, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply of coal to meet the growing demands of the country’s power plants and industries. This plan aligns with the PM Gati Shakti vision of “Integrated planning and synchronized time-bound implementation,” a pivotal approach to realizing the ambitious vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, the statement said.
Published 29 August 2024, 13:01 IST
