Lok Sabha Question No. 522 (STARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: National Coal Logistics Plan and Policy
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. Sanjay Jaiswal, Shri Chandra Prakash Choudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 522 ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## NATIONAL COAL LOGISTICS PLAN AND POLICY

## *522. SHRI CHANDRA PRAKASH CHOUDHARY: DR. SANJAY JAISWAL:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) the key objectives of the National Coal Logistics Plan and Policy including provisions relating to  rail-based  evacuation,  first-mile  connectivity  projects  and  coastal  or  inland  waterway transport;

(b) the number of first-mile connectivity projects approved and operationalised in the country till date especially in Jharkhand;

(c) the estimated coal handling capacity created through these projects in the country especially in Jharkhand;

(d) whether the Government has assessed the manner in which the policy is expected to reduce logistics costs, road transportation of coal and associated environmental impacts; and

(e) if so, the details of measures taken by the Government to reduce logistics cost and road transportation of coal under the said policy?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) to (e):  A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (A) TO (E) IN RESPECT OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 522 FOR REPLY ON 01.04.2026 ASKED BY SHRI CHANDRA  PRAKASH  CHOUDHARY  AND  DR.  SANJAY  JAISWAL,  REGARDING 'NATIONAL COAL LOGISTICS PLAN AND POLICY'.

a): The main objectives of the Coal Logistics Policy and Plan are as follows:

- i. Availability: To ensure availability of adequate coal loading and evacuation infrastructure at a nearby location through Conveyors, Rail, Road, Port, or Waterways connectivity.
- ii. Optimization:  To  optimize  the  total  logistics  cost,  loading,  and  transportation,  through rationalization  of  the  transport  network  with  existing  and  any  other  proposed  mode  of transportation.
- iii. Integration: To promote an interconnected multi-modal network of transport infrastructure &  greener  transportation  initiatives  for  efficient  movement  of  coal  covering  the  entire country.
- iv. Modernization: To promote greater adoption of information communication technology, upgraded infrastructure, use of artificial intelligence, drones, sensors, and innovation to improve efficiency and address the evolving needs of the sector.
- v. Efficiency: To strive for a faster and more efficient loading and transportation system in order to reduce the turnaround time, leading to an increase in the time and cost efficiency of the system.
- vi. Inclusivity: To address needs of all stakeholders from the logistics supply and user side.

Measures taken to ensure seamless integration of coal transportation to the end-use plant under this plan are:

- i. Coal production planning of 1.5 BT by FY 2030,
- ii. State-wise Origination-Destination mapping for coal evacuation,
- iii. 90% Mechanized coal loading and evacuation infrastructure implementation through 'First Mile Connectivity' (FMC) by FY2030,
- iv. 33 critical railway lines have been identified and taken up with the Ministry of Railways for future coal evacuation,
- v. Multi-modal transport involving conveyor, MGR, railways, inland waterways, and coastal, including Rail-Sea-Rail (R-S-R) route,
- vi. The additional wagon requirement has been taken up with the Ministry of Railways.

(b) & (c): The Ministry of Coal, through the Coal PSUs, has taken up construction of 139 first-mile  connectivity  projects  with  a  capacity  of  1,319  million  tonnes  including  31  projects having capacity of 290 million tonne in Jharkhand. As of now, 65 projects with a capacity of 552 million tonnes are commissioned including 6 projects having capacity of 47.5 million tonnes in Jharkhand.

(d) & (e): The Coal Logistics Plan proposes a strategic shift away from road transportation through First Mile Connectivity Projects, aiming for a reduction in rail logistics cost up to 14% and an estimated annual cost saving of about Rs. 21,000 crore by FY 2030. With implementation of  the  Coal  Logistics  Plan  and  Policy,  the  following  impact  is  anticipated  by  FY  2030: i.  Reduction  in  the  share  of  road  transportation  and  increase  in  share  of  rail-based  coal transportation in the country, ii. Reduction in logistics cost with network optimization,

iii. Reduction in CO2 emissions.

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