PMO seeks schedule for developing coal washeries

Prime Minister's Office has also asked the timeframe for operationalisation of rationalised coal linkages

The Prime Minister's Office has asked the Coal Ministry for time-bound schedule for developing coal washeries, including timelines for both tendering and commissioning.

The government had earlier said that comprehensive measures for enhancing domestic coal output were being put in place along with stringent mechanism for quality control and environmental protection, which includes supply of crushed coal and setting up of washeries.

"The PMO recently conveyed it to the Coal Ministry that the ministry may send its time bound programme for development of coal washeries (including timelines for tendering and commissioning)," said an official.

PMO has also asked the timeframe for operationalisation of rationalised coal linkages, the source said.

State-owned Coal India Ltd has awarded contracts for construction of two washeries as part of efforts to augment its capacity to crush coal and ensure better quality of the dry fuel.

The company had earlier said: "CIL has initiated action through global tenders to establish 16 coal washeries with an aggregate capacity of 100.6 MT... Construction job of three washeries are in progress and the same for two washeries have been awarded. Jobs of other washeries are in different stages of evaluation."

Of the 16 coal washeries, six are coking coal with a capacity of 18.6 million tonnes per year and 10 non-coking coal washeries with a capacity of 82 million tonnes per year, it said.

CIL operates 17 coal washeries with a total capacity of 39.4 million tonnes per year. Out of these, 13 are coking coal washeries with a total capacity of 24.90 million tonnes, while four are non-coking coal washeries with a total capacity of 14.50 million tonnes, it added.

The Standing Committee on Coal and Steel had earlier pulled up Coal India for delays in setting up of washeries and had desired that the coal PSU prepare an action plan to expedite the work of commissioning of washeries.