Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Satish Chandra Dubey, laid the foundation stone for two major coal handling plants under Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) — the Karo Coal Handling Plant and the Konar Coal Handling Plant. The inauguration ceremony took place in Bokaro and Kargali regions, where these two projects aim to significantly enhance coal dispatch operations.
The Karo Coal Handling Plant, with a capacity of 7 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), and the Konar Coal Handling Plant, with a capacity of 5 MTPA, are expected to be critical in improving First Mile Rail Connectivity for coal transportation. This initiative is designed to facilitate the seamless transfer of coal from mines to the nearest railway network, from where it will be distributed to thermal power plants and other industries across the country. Currently, coal is transported via road, but these projects will bring a more efficient rail-based solution.
During the ceremony, Minister Dubey highlighted the importance of these projects in the nation’s coal supply chain, particularly in reducing the environmental impact by minimising road transportation. “The Karo and Konar Coal Handling Plants will significantly speed up coal dispatch operations and play a key role in addressing the growing energy demands of the country,” he said.
The Konar Coal Handling Plant includes a hopper, a crusher, a coal storage bunker with a capacity of 10,000 tonnes, and a 1.6 km conveyor belt. Coal will be loaded onto railway wagons via a 1,000-tonne capacity silo bunker. The total cost of the Konar project is ₹322 crore, and it is expected to reduce the current rake loading time from 5 hours to just 1 hour, enabling faster coal dispatch.
Similarly, the Karo Coal Handling Plant features a hopper, crusher, and coal storage bunker with a capacity of 15,000 tonnes. A 1 km conveyor belt will transfer coal to railway wagons through a 4,000-tonne capacity silo bunker. This project, with a cost of ₹410 crore, also aims to reduce rake loading time from 5 hours to 1 hour, improving efficiency in coal transportation.
Both projects are set to operate on closed-loop, fully mechanised systems, eliminating the need for road transportation and reducing diesel consumption. This transition will not only increase efficiency but also help in cutting down on dust and vehicle-borne pollution in the region, making the coal handling process cleaner and more sustainable.
Minister Dubey, along with dignitaries including Giridih Member of Parliament Chandra Prakash Chaudhary, Bermo MLA Kumar Jayamangal (Anoop Singh), and Coal India Limited Chairman PM Prasad, participated in the foundation stone laying ceremony. Nilendu Kumar Singh, CMD of CCL, and other senior officers were also present. The event was marked by the symbolic planting of saplings under the “Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam” campaign, further emphasising the government’s commitment to sustainable development.
These projects, once operational, are expected to revolutionise coal handling processes in the region, significantly contributing to the country’s energy production and ensuring a more environmentally friendly approach to coal dispatch.
