MCL CMD Bhola Nath Shukla on Sunday said that the MCL would achieve coal production of 300 million tonne per annum by financial year 2026 with long term planning and inclusion of new technologies for coal excavation and despatch.       

“We are into a long term planning to ensure that mining operations remain smooth to register consistent growth. By 2025-26, we expect the company to achieve 300 million tonne figure, with 200 million tonne produced by Talcher coalfields alone,” said Shukla, while interacting with mediapersons during his maiden visit to Talcher coalfields.    

Shukla was the Director (Technical) of Central Mining Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) before taking up charge of CMD, MCL on June 14.     

Asserting that the company has taken a major initiative to enhance coal evacuation through infrastructure development, like coal corridor, SILOs, etc, the CMD said focus would be on speedy capacity enhancement of rail infrastructure, which would also help private players develop their coal blocks and contribute towards meeting the growing energy demand of the nation.

The company is going ahead with environment-friendly initiatives like pipe conveyors, coal washeries, SILOs, belt conveyor etc. to ensure sustainable mining operations.    

“The increase in coal production would directly benefit the growth of coal bearing districts by increasing contributions to the District Mineral Fund (DMF),” Shukla said, emphasising that the company has contributed about Rs 600 crore to DMF and spent Rs 167 crore under corporate social responsibility (CSR) last fiscal.

Cumulative DMF contribution by MCL is around Rs 2,100 crore in the past four years.   https://ssl.gstatic.com/ui/v1/icons/mail/images/cleardot.gif

Answering to a query on Mahanadi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research, Talcher, the CMD said the academic block had been inaugurated while the hospital is under development to cater to the requirements of a 500 bedded medical college and hospital.