Prime Minister Narendra Modi will virtually inaugurate two significant First Mile Connectivity Projects (FMC) of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) on Thursday.

These projects are valued at the Rs 1393.69 Crore spearheaded by Northern Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) under the Ministry of Coal, and represent a notable step towards faster, efficient mechanised Coal evacuation contributing to the reduction of carbon emission, the Coal Ministry said in a statement.

Elaborating the details of the projects to be launched, the ministry said among the noteworthy projects to be unveiled were the Jayant OCP CHP-SILO and the Dudhichua OCP CHP-SILO.

The Jayant OCP CHP-SILO boasts a capacity of 15 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) and has been developed with an investment of Rs 723.50 Crore. Similarly, the Dudhichua OCP CHP-SILO, with a capacity of 10 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA), has been constructed with an investment of Rs 670.19 Crore.

The ministry believed that these projects, after an inauguration, will usher in a new era of efficiency and sustainability in coal evacuation processes, while reducing both transportation time and costs, thereby enhancing overall productivity and profitability.

Moreover, by optimising logistics and minimising carbon emissions, these projects will contribute to a greener and more environmentally conscious approach to dispatch of quality coal and its distribution.

The inauguration of these projects underscores the Ministry of Coal’s unwavering commitment to infrastructure development and sustainable initiatives, aimed at fostering a greener future and contributing to India’s energy security.

Recently, PM Modi inaugurated three key First Mile Connectivity Projects of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) in Chhattisgarh.

These projects, valued at over Rs 600 crore, were located in SECL’s Dipka Area, Dipka OCP Coal Handling Plant stands out as a key project constructed at a cost exceeding Rs 211 Crore.

With an annual coal handling capacity of 25 MT, the project features an overground bunker capacity of 20,000 tonnes and a 2.1 km long conveyor belt, facilitating the rapid loading of 4,500 – 8,500 tonnes of coal per hour.