South Eastern Coalfields (SECL), a subsidiary of Coal India (CIL), has recently launched three projects aimed at accelerating coal production and dispatch. These projects were inaugurated by CIL Chairman, Pramod Agrawal, and include the Rail Rapid Load Out System (RRLOS) in the Gevra area as part of the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiative, a workshop complex in the Kusmunda area, and the Baroud siding in the Raigarh area.

Under the leadership of Chairman-cum-Managing Director, Prem Sagar Mishra, SECL has taken proactive measures to achieve its target of producing 200 million tonnes (mt) of coal in FY24. Although the company fell short of its 182 mt target in FY23, it managed to reach 167 mt, marking a 17% increase from the previous year. To cater to the repair and maintenance needs of heavy earth moving machinery (HEMMs), SECL has established a dedicated workshop, as confirmed by an SECL spokesperson.

These projects encompass various sub-systems, including dumper washing, bay lubrication, compressed air, EOT crane, power supply, indoor and outdoor lighting, communication, ventilation, and firefighting. The workshop is equipped to handle HEMM machinery, such as an excavation complex, E&M complex, store complex, substation, pump house, administrative office, canteen, and first aid center.

The RRLOS project at Gevra, which aims to become Asia's largest coal mine with a capacity of 70 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), required an investment of Rs. 222 crore. This system will enable the annual dispatch of 20 mt of coal, with a bunker capacity of nearly 30,000 tonnes. The spokesperson added that 4,500 to 5,500 tonnes of coal can be loaded into rail rakes per hour from the bunker.

The complex at Kusmunda, SECL's second-largest mine with a capacity of 50 mtpa, was established on 16 hectares at an estimated cost of Rs. 248 crore.

In addition, SECL plans to acquire over 400 HEMMs, including 261 dumpers with capacities ranging from 60 to 240 tonnes.

The Baroud siding, with a daily capacity of 20,000 tonnes, will facilitate the loading of four rakes of coal per day from the Raigarh area. Furthermore, under the FMC project, a coal handling plant with a capacity of 10 mt per annum is being constructed at Baroud, enabling the daily dispatch of six coal rakes, according to the spokesperson.