Amid Coal India eyeing production target of one billion tonnes by FY20, its arm Western Coalfields Ltd is planning an output of 100 million tonnes in another five years.
"In order to help CIL (Coal India) achieve its stupendous coal production target of one billion tonnes by FY20, Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) is planning to enhance coal production by 150 per cent," Minister of State for Power, Coal and New & Renewable Energy Piyush Goyal said here.
Goyal was speaking after unveiling WCL's roadmap for opening 36 mines/projects in 36 months here today.
Lauding WCL for resetting its goal from 60 millions tonnes (MT) to 100 MT of coal production by 2020, the Minister said that enhancing coal production will help in providing electricity to the deprived parts of the country.
Goyal hailed WCL for acquiring 2,500 hectare land and generating 1,300 direct employment opportunities to farmers who have given their land in last one year.
The enhanced production will not only fulfill coal demand of Maharashtra but will also provide relief to the southern areas of the country, he said.
Goyal hoped that through the pace with which coal mines are opening, the dream of providing 24x7 affordable power for all will become reality.
By opening one project mine every month, WCL has already opened 10 projects in last 10 months.
It has geared up to take a challenge of opening 36 projects in 36 months.
