Ministry of Coal has recently launched Coal Logistics Policy and Integrated Coal Evacuation Plan to address the issue of coal transportation amidst rising demands. The Government has planned to address the issue of coal transportation through construction of New Railway Lines and capacity augmentation of railway network, First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects, Rail Connectivity projects and Railway Sidings. These evacuation facilities/infrastructures are planned in line with country's long term production projection.

Fourteen rail projects have been taken up for implementation for improving coal evacuation. Out of these, five rail lines have already been commissioned and other are at various stages of construction.

In addition to above, Ministry of Railways has planned several rail projects under Green Energy Corridor Projects, High-density network Projects and Rail Sagar Projects. In addition, coastal shipping and inland waterways are also being promoted for coal evacuation.

This information was given by Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Shri Pralhad Joshi in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today.

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BY/RKP/ST