THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Ranchi, July 14: Coal India Limited’s Chairman, P.M. Prasad, delivered the keynote address at a focused workshop on the “Challenges of First Mile Connectivity (FMC)” at CMPDI (Central Mine Planning & Design Institute), Ranchi. The workshop aimed at streamlining the execution of FMC projects that are central to modernizing and greening India’s coal transportation system.
FMC Projects: Backbone of Efficient and Sustainable Coal Transport
In his address, Prasad described FMC as the backbone of efficient coal logistics. He stressed the need to expedite completion of both ongoing and upcoming FMC projects. Highlighting the operational benefits, he said FMC solutions offer a direct remedy to under-loading and overloading problems, enabling mechanised, environment-friendly movement of coal from pithead to railways.
The Chairman also called for greater collaboration among stakeholders to resolve bottlenecks in project execution and underlined the importance of proactive leadership across subsidiaries.
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Technical Roadmap from CMPDI and Coal PSU Leaders
Achyut Ghatak, Director (Technical) of Coal India, also spoke at the session. He provided a detailed overview of FMC’s development and underscored its role as a sustainable and eco-friendly mode of coal transportation. He explained how the process eliminates the need for road transport by using advanced conveyor systems integrated with silos and rail loading points.
Heads of Coal India subsidiaries, including Manoj Kumar (CMD, CMPDI), J.P. Dwivedi (CMD, WCL), and N.K. Singh (CMD, CCL), also addressed the gathering. They elaborated on the ongoing FMC projects under their respective zones, discussed the importance of inter-departmental coordination, and stressed on timely project implementation.
Scaling Up FMC for a Greener Future
Coal India has already seen significant gains from its FMC rollout. In FY 2025, the company recorded a 34% increase in coal transported through FMC infrastructure, reaching 102.5 million tonnes, up from 76.5 million tonnes in FY 2024.
Currently, more than 61 FMC projects are under implementation under Phase III, with a combined evacuation capacity of 760 million tonnes per annum and an estimated investment of ₹24,750 crore. By FY 2029, Coal India plans to commission 92 FMC projects with a cumulative capacity close to 1 billion tonnes per annum.
For FY 2026 alone, the company targets commissioning 19 new FMC projects, further enhancing its coal evacuation capabilities and contributing to its environmental goals.
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FMC: Redefining Coal Logistics
FMC projects represent a major stride in Coal India’s transition toward sustainable operations. These systems eliminate dust, reduce diesel usage, and improve loading precision by using closed conveyors, silos, and mechanised pre-weighed loading systems. The result is cleaner, safer, and more efficient coal transportation — contributing to Coal India’s long-term environmental and operational sustainability goals.
About Coal India
Coal India Limited, headquartered in Kolkata, operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Coal, Government of India. The company plays a critical role in meeting India’s energy demands, and Mr. Panda’s appointment is expected to bring valuable insights from the fields of economics and journalism to its strategic deliberations.
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