Team News Riveting
Raipur, August 15
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), an arm of the Coal India Limited (CIL), is on a growth trajectory with focus on development of new projects.
After unfurling the National Tricolour to mark India’s 75th Independence Day at the Bilaspur-based headquarters, SECL Chairman-cum-Managing Director A P Panda said that the company was also working towards development of new projects. Coal production started in March 2021 from the company’s Saraipali mine. Project reports of Baraud Expansion (10 MTY), Dipka (40 MTY) and Porda-Chimtapani (10 MTY) have been approved. Kusmunda area is ready to function as a departmental mega mine with a large fleet of HEMMs like surface miners, payloaders, dumpers. Incorporating new technology into operation, low-height continuous minor packages have been installed at Raniatari in Chirmiri area and Kurja-Sheetaldhara in Hasdeo area, Panda said in his speech.
“Our company is also investing in promoting green technology,” he said, adding that CMPDI has been appointed as the implementing agency for the development of the Coal Bed Methane Project at Sohagpur CBM Block-1 site. Similarly, contract has been signed for ‘Pre-feasibility study’ of Surface Coal Gasification Project at Mahamaya Opencast Mine in Bhatgaon area,” the CMD said, adding that the company’s first mile connectivity projects will prove to be very important in terms of further improving the balance between production and dispatch of coal and environment.
For the purpose of coal dispatch at Kusmunda mine, a 20 thousand tonnes capacity RCC bunkered coal handling plant has been commissioned, while the commissioning of CHP with 4 silos of 40 MTY capacity is under implementation. Establishment of silos with rapid loading system, in pit conveyor, surge bins, bunker and rail linkage at Gevra, Dipka, Manikpur, Baraud, Chhak will facilitate dispatch of proposed large production to these areas in future. The company’s 9 projects of first mile connectivity are proposed to have a capital expenditure of about Rs. 4,000 crore and these will provide additional facility for dispatch of 60 to 70 million tonnes of coal from the company’s six mines.
Panda said the rail corridor projects at Mand-Raigarh, Korba, Koriya-Rewa coalfields would create new growth opportunities. The commissioning work of 74 km long Korichhapar-Dharamjaygarh single line of SECL’s subsidiary East Rail Corridor has been completed this June and operation permit has also been received. Work award is also to be given soon for major construction works of the East-West Rail Corridor project of 135 km length of Gevra-Pendra Road.
The CMD said the Team SECL had performed extremely commendable amidst the challenges of the Corona era. Last year, on the basis of coal produced by SECL, the state of Chhattisgarh was the largest coal producing state in the country. SECL has become the only company in the coal industry to produce 150 million tonnes of coal for three consecutive years. “In the financial year 2021-22, the company is working fast towards production and coal dispatch and I am sure that together we will definitely achieve this year’s targets,” Panda said.
