CIL puts in efforts to curb pollution

New Delhi: State-owned CIL on Wednesday said its efforts to curb environmental pollution through the implementation of mechanised coal transportation and loading through coal-handling plants resulted in a significant reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and other air pollutants.

This was revealed in a first-of-its-kind pilot study sponsored by Coal India Ltd (CIL) in two of its opencast mines. At a time when the country under COP 26 commitment has pledged the reduction of CO2 emissions towards net-zero march, CIL's efforts in this regard will help the national cause. To reduce emissions for a cleaner environment, CIL in a major step is switching over to mechanised transportation of coal through conveyor belts and loading by CHP/ silos under its first-mile connectivity (FMC) initiative.

In addition to 151 million tonnes (MT) of coal currently transported through this means, CIL has identified 35 coal mining projects where additionally 415 million tonnes (MT) of coal will be loaded through environment-friendly CHP/ silos by 2023-24. To come up at an investment of around Rs 10,500 crore, FMC projects will lift the total mechanised loading quantity to 566 MT. CIL is dovetailing FMC projects with main rail lines, strengthening the rail connectivity at an investment of about Rs 2,335 crore.

The company is also investing Rs 3,750 crore in 21 new rail sidings. Evacuation of coal is more challenging. Silo loading compared to prevalent loading through sidings also leads to productivity gain on quality and quantity fronts.