India targets to produce 1.2 billion ton of coal by 2023-24
Recently, the Union Minister of Coal has informed that India has set a target of producing 1.2 billion ton of coal by the year 2023-24.
The Union Coal Minister has said that Coal India Limited (CIL) has envisaged a program to produce one billion ton of coal from the mines of CIL.
CIL has identified 15 projects with a capacity of about 180 MTPA (Million Ton Per annum). These will be operated through Mine Developer cum Operator mode.
CIL has taken steps to upgrade the mechanized coal transport and loading system under the “First Mile Connectivity” projects. The all India production of coal during the year 2020-21 was 718.08 MT (Provisional). There was a negative growth of 2.03 per cent.
Steps taken by the government to increase coal production:
- Commercial auction of coal on revenue sharing mechanism.
- Single window clearance portal for coal sector to expedite the operation of coal mines.
- Rolling auction mechanism to expedite the process of conduct of auctions and conduct more rounds of auctions during the year.
- 100% FDI in coal mining through automatic route.
Challenges before the Coal Sector:
- Lack of latest technical equipment and excess of coal mining from open mines.
- Obtaining a number of approvals at the state and central government level.
- Progress towards renewable energy.
- Increase in illegal mining and export of coal.
India is the second largest coal producer in the world. India has the world’s 5th largest reserves of coal (2020).
Source – The Hindu
