'Transport issues could affect coal production target': Former Secretary

Former coal secretary Alok Perti has opined that issues in transportation linkages could affect coal production, resulting in an adverse impact on the meeting of the target set by the government for the same.

Speaking at a roundtable conference on the topic 'Ramping up Coal Production: Policy Pathways' in the national capital, Perti said that though it is theoretically possible to ramp up coal production to one billion tonnes by the end of the decade, as announced by the government, the efforts to improve the quality of coal have failed so far.

Meanwhile, former Planning Commission member Dr. Saumitra Chaudri stated that the nation could, within the current framework, push up coal production to one billion tonnes in the next five years. She, however, questioned the close 'micro-management' of the sector, wondering why it is not allowed function other industries.

The conference felt that the production of coal could reach projected targets by the year 2019-20, but concluded that an 'integrated and long-term' approach is necessary for the sustainable development of the sector.