
Union Minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, inaugurated the ‘Coal Logistics Plan and Policy’ initiative at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. Organized by the Indian National Committee World Mining Congress under the patronage of the Ministry of Coal, the event marked a significant step towards enhancing efficiency and sustainability in coal transportation.
Addressing the gathering, Joshi emphasized the critical need for efficient logistics to meet the escalating energy demand, projected to surge from 980 MT to 1.5 MT by 2030. The Coal Logistics Plan proposes a strategic shift towards a railway-based system in First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects. This shift aims for a 14% reduction in rail logistic costs, translating to an annual cost saving of Rs 21,000 Crore. Moreover, it is expected to minimize air pollution, alleviate traffic congestion, and reduce carbon emissions by approximately 100,000 tonnes per annum. He highlighted the importance of augmenting railway network capacity through First-Mile Connectivity, expecting a 10% saving in the average turnaround time of wagons nationwide.
Underlining the significance of integrated transportation systems, Joshi highlighted the Ministry’s initiative to integrate Rail-Sea-Rail (RSR) transportation, which has witnessed a remarkable growth of around 50% over the past five years, with plans for further expansion to 120 MT by FY 2030. He also mentioned 37 critical railway projects identified to meet future coal evacuation demands, aligning with the PM Gati Shakti initiative. Additionally, the Ministry has launched 15 railway projects to address multimodal connectivity gaps, with five projects already commissioned.
In his keynote address, Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, of the Ministry of Coal, reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing efficiency in coal transportation and fostering robust infrastructure development. Meena highlighted proposals for extensive energy corridor projects, including the construction of new railway lines and capacity augmentation of existing lines, stressing the importance of maintaining momentum to ensure coal’s integral role in India’s energy security and economic growth while upholding sustainability and social responsibility standards.
M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, emphasized the importance of seamless coal evacuation in an eco-friendly manner. He highlighted the Ministry’s Integrated Coal Logistics Policy and plan, aimed at developing a technologically enabled, cost-effective, and sustainable logistic ecosystem.
A panel discussion chaired by M Nagaraju witnessed industry leaders and representatives deliberating on holistic approaches towards coal transportation. Discussions emphasized India’s potential to achieve self-reliance in the coal sector, contributing to economic growth and environmental sustainability through investment in research and development, technical optimization, and resolution of transport constraints.
The event concluded with a call for close coordination among stakeholders to ensure easy access to coal for everyone while prioritizing efficiency, sustainability, and economic growth.