The Business Bytes
TBB BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR, FEB 2, 2024
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate four significant projects of CIL subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), representing a combined investment of Rs 2,145 crore during his visit to Sambalpur on Saturday.
During a press conference held on Friday, Ajit Kumar Behura, Director of Finance at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), unveiled this announcement. Behura highlighted that these projects mark a significant milestone in the coal mining sector and will play a pivotal role in enhancing the region’s infrastructure.
Among the projects are two First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiatives: the inauguration of Bhubaneswari Phase-I, with a capacity of 10 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) situated at Talcher Coalfields in Angul district, developed at an investment of Rs 335 crore; and the launch of the Lajkura Rapid Loading System (RLS), boasting a capacity of 15 MTPA, constructed at a cost of Rs 375 crore in Ib Valley Coalfields.
Bhubaneswari Phase-I, the second FMC project of MCL, integrates state-of-the-art technology such as a covered pipe conveyor spanning 2.2 km and a silo equipped with an automatic rapid loading system for efficient and eco-friendly coal transportation from mines to railway siding. Behura emphasized that this advancement will eliminate coal transport by trucks, thereby reducing the carbon footprint, and will create direct employment for 300 individuals.
Similarly, the Lajkura Rapid Loading System, furnished with trough conveyors capable of handling 1000 to 3000 TPH over a total length of 1900 meters, along with an above-ground bunker with a capacity of 15,000 tons, is expected to generate employment opportunities for 400 people.
In addition, the Prime Minister will unveil the Ib Valley Washery, designed to process 10 MTPA of non-coking coal annually. This state-of-the-art infrastructure, established at a total expenditure of Rs 557 crore in the Lakhanpur Area of MCL in Jharsuguda district, represents a significant advancement in coal processing methodologies, prioritizing innovation and sustainability. From input coal to dispatch, the Ib Valley Washery will operate on a fully mechanized system, utilizing covered belt conveyors/pipe conveyors to transport coal and ensuring zero dust pollution, thus safeguarding the environment. Behura noted that the project will create direct and indirect employment opportunities for over 700 individuals.
Furthermore, as part of efforts to strengthen energy security and sustainability initiatives, the Prime Minister will dedicate a 50-kilometer-long second track of the Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardega rail line to the nation. Developed with an investment of Rs 878 crore, this infrastructure underscores a strategic endeavor to enhance regional connectivity and elevate the region’s prominence in the energy production landscape. Doubling the Jharsuguda-Barpali-Sardega rail line will facilitate increased coal dispatch from Basundhara coalfields and boost the evacuation capacity of the existing rail line to 25-30 rakes per day from the current 11 rakes per day.
