Union Minister of Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha
that the Coal Logistics Policy and Plan seeks to save ₹21,000 crore annually by
shifting to rail-based transportation, resulting in a 14% reduction in rail
logistics costs. The plan also aims to
reduce reliance on road transportation, optimize logistics costs, and cut CO2
emissions by FY2030.
By FY2030, 90% of the planned mechanized coal loading and evacuation
infrastructure will be built through First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects.
Measures include state-specific origin-destination mapping for coal evacuation
and the implementation of multi-modal transportation networks such as railways,
conveyor belts, inland waterways, and coastal routes.
Critical railway
routes for future coal evacuation have been identified in coordination with the
Ministry of Railways, and extra wagon requirements are being considered to
fulfill rising coal output targets. The plan has a
coal production target of 1.5 billion tonnes by FY2030. The transition to a
rail-based logistics system is projected to improve efficiency and lower costs
for coal transportation throughout the country.