Coal Ministry's First Mile Connectivity Projects for FY 2029-30
UPSC / SSC current affairs note
Why in news
The Coal Ministry updated Parliament on the progress of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects and coal evacuation infrastructure, aiming to achieve 1,319 MTPA capacity by FY 2029-30. This is crucial for ensuring efficient coal transport and reducing logistics costs.
Background
The Coal Ministry has been working on improving coal evacuation infrastructure through FMC projects, railway expansions, and multimodal transport to reduce dependence on road transport and lower costs.
Key facts
Coal Ministry targets 1,319 MTPA capacity from 139 FMC projects by FY 2029-30.
72 projects (589 MTPA) are already operational; 67 are in various stages of implementation.
5 of 8 railway projects for coal evacuation are operational; 3 more by FY 2028.
Railway Ministry identified 33 critical projects for future coal evacuation.
Mechanized loading and conveyor-based transport: 72 of 139 FMC projects operational; rest by FY 2030.
Key bottlenecks: inadequate rail capacity, delays in approvals, land acquisition, environmental clearances, road congestion, and underdeveloped alternative modes.
Integrated Coal Evacuation Plan aims for 75% rail share by FY 2030.
Coastal shipping and inland waterways promoted to diversify transport modes.
Performance incentive for rail-sea-rail mode reduced from 40% to 20% to encourage adoption.
Mechanized loading reduced rake loading time and improved wagon utilization.
Prelims pointers
- First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects
- Coal Evacuation Plan 2030
- Rail-sea-rail mode
- Performance incentive (PI) reduction from 40% to 20%
- Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
- FY 2029-30 target for FMC projects
- 1,319 MTPA capacity target
- 139 FMC projects
- 33 critical railway projects identified
Mains angles
- Discuss the challenges in coal evacuation infrastructure and the government's integrated approach to address them.
- Critically examine the role of multimodal transport in reducing logistics costs and environmental impact in the coal sector.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of First Mile Connectivity projects in improving coal supply chain efficiency.