Coal India Ltd on 12 September announced that it will make a capital investment of nearly Rs 24,750 crore on 61 First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects over the next couple of years to boost eco-friendly coal transportation.

The project will commence in three phases and will have an annual capacity of 763.5 million tonnes upon completion.

The FMC project involves coal transportation through mechanised pipe conveyors from the production point to coal handling silos with a rapid loading system where coal will be loaded directly into rail wagons.

Environment-friendly coal transportation is key to enhancing the quality of life of people residing in and around coalfield zones.

A senior official of Cola India Ltd said, “FMC projects provide benefits like curbing dust pollution and carbon emissions. They also reduce the load on road transportation leading to safety. Other benefits include precise quantity and quality coal is loaded for consumers with minimal manual intervention.”

In Phase I of the project, there will be 35 FMC projects that will have a total capacity of 414.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) capacity, worth Rs 10,750 crore.

Phase II and Phase III will complete nine and 17 projects, respectively, which will have evacuation capacity of 57 MTPA and 292 MTPA each which will have investments worth nearly Rs 2,500 crore and Rs 11,500 crore.