Lok Sabha Question No. 415 (STARRED), answered on 2023-03-29
Subject: Transportation of Coal through Rail Network
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Shrikant Eknath Shinde

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *415 ANSWERED ON 29.3.2023

## Transportation of Coal through Rail Network

## *415.   SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL: DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  the  steps  taken/being  taken  by  the  M/o  Coal  with  the  M/o  Railways  to improve the transportation of coal through rail network;
- (b)    the details of the data on the cost-effectiveness of transporting coal through rail networks as compared to other modes of transport such as road and waterways;
- (c)    the current update on the modernization and upgradation of rail infrastructure for coal transportation such as the development of dedicated freight corridors; and
- (d)    whether the Ministry is collaborating with the State Governments and other  to ensure effective transportation of coal through rail networks across the country?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS, COAL AND MINES (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (d):  A statement is laid on the table of the House.

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (D) OF STARRED QUESTION NO.  415 ASKED BY SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL AND DR. SHRIKANT  EKNATH  SHINDE  ANSWERED  IN  LOK  SABHA  ON  29.03.2023 REGARDING TRANSPORTATION OF COAL THROUGH RAIL NETWORK.

(a)  to  (d):  To  address  the  issues  of  coal  supplies  to  power  sector,  an  Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) has been constituted comprising of Chairman (Railway Board), Secretary (Coal), Secretary (MoEF&CC), and Secretary (Power) to monitor augmentation of coal supply and power generation capacity. Secretary (MNRE) and Chairperson (CEA) are co-opted as Special Invitees as and when required by the IMC.

Another  Inter-Ministerial  Sub  Group  comprising  of  representatives  from  Ministries  of Power, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, CEA, CIL and SCCL meet regularly to take various operational decisions to enhance supply of coal to thermal power plants as well as for meeting any contingent situations relating to Power Sector including to alleviate critical coal stock  position  in  power  plants.  Coal  dispatch  from  the  captive  coal  blocks  is  also  being monitored regularly.

As per Coal Logistics Plan prepared mode-wise transportation cost comparison is as under:

| Mode                                        | Unit Rate                                   | Unit                                        |
|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|
| Freight by Rail                             | INR 1.86 *                                  | Freight/Ton-KM                              |
| Transportation cost by Road                 | INR 2.50 **                                 | Cost/Ton-KM                                 |
| Transportation cost by Conveyor             | INR 1.00 **                                 | Cost/Ton-KM                                 |
| Transportation cost by Inland Waterways     | INR 1.50 **                                 | Cost/Ton-KM                                 |
| Source: *ASS 2019-20,MOR ** Market research | Source: *ASS 2019-20,MOR ** Market research | Source: *ASS 2019-20,MOR ** Market research |

Ministry of Coal, in coordination with Ministry of Railways and Coal companies, have planned  to  construct  15  rail  lines  for  coal  evacuation,  out  of  which  3  have  already  been commissioned and others are at various stages of construction. Further, Ministry of Coal is in the process of finalization of National Coal Logistics Plan. As per the same further requirement of rail infrastructure will be assessed. These rails projects are jointly monitored by the Ministry of  Coal  and  Ministry  of  Railways  with  State  Governments  and  coal  companies  at  regular interval.

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