New Delhi: The Ministry of Coal is in the process of enhancing coal production to an ambitious target of 1.23 billion tonnes (BT) by FY 2024-25 including CIL and non-CIL coal blocks to ensure energy security of the country.

In order to support the vision, Coal India Ltd (CIL) has adopted an integrated planning approach by strengthening evacuation infrastructure for one billion tonne production and seamless transportation of coal to the end users, said the Ministry in a statement.

North Karanpura Coalfield is a major coalfield in Jharkhand, falling within the command of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) having coal resources of about 19 billion tonnes. CCL has projected production contribution of about 135 million tonne by FY25, out of which about 85 MT is likely to be produced from North Karanpura Coalfield from several greenfield and brownfield coal mining projects, like Amrapali (25 MT), Magadh (51 MT), Chandragupta (15 MT), Sanghmitra (20 MT, etc.

Presently, coal evacuation from the North Karanpura coalfield is covered by Barkakana-Daltonganj branch railway line of the East Central Railway connecting Gomoh and Dehri-on-Sone via Barkakana loop. Additional railway line has been created by CCL, i.e., Tori - Shivpur (44.37km) double railway line. The development of a third line on the same alignment is under construction at an additional capital of Rs 894 crore, which is likely to be operationalized by May 2023.

Further, Shivpur-Kathautia, new rail line of 49km, has been envisaged and is being constructed through formation of project specific SPV, which shall provide another exit for coal evacuation via Koderma to the trunk railway line from Howrah to Delhi. The construction of Tori-Shivpur-Kathautia Rail line envisaged by the Ministry of Coal under PM - Gati Shakati initiative is likely to provide coal evacuation capacity of about 125 MT by rail and play a major role in eliminating coal transportation by road. /BI/