The Ministry of Coal has reported progress on the Coal Logistics Plan and Policy, 2030, which is intended to improve coal evacuation from mines to end users through rail, conveyor, and multimodal transport. The topic matters because coal logistics directly affects thermal power supply, freight efficiency, and the cost of delivered coal.

What the Ministry of Coal said

According to the Ministry of Coal, the policy programme is being implemented through First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects and rail-linked infrastructure. The Ministry of Coal said that 139 FMC projects with a combined capacity of 1,319 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) are being taken up for implementation by FY 2029-30.

The Ministry of Coal said that 72 projects with a cumulative capacity of about 589 MTPA have already been commissioned, while the remaining projects are at different stages of implementation, tendering, and planning.

Background and earlier position

Coal evacuation from pitheads to consuming sectors has long faced structural bottlenecks: limited rail capacity on dense routes, delays in clearances and project execution, rake availability issues, road congestion, and limited capacity for rail-sea-rail, inland waterway, and coastal-shipping routes. The Ministry of Coal has said it regularly reviews critical railway and FMC projects with the Ministry of Railways, coal companies, State Governments, and other agencies.

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