• The operationalisation of the new silo and rapid loading system at SECL’s coal plant marks a significant milestone in eco-friendly and efficient coal evacuation under the First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiative. 

• South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) is a Chhattisgarh-based subsidiary of Coal India under Ministry of Coal.

• This development aligns with the broader goals of the Ministry of Coal and Coal India Limited to modernise coal transportation infrastructure, reduce environmental impact, and enhance operational efficiency.

Key Highlights of the Dipka Megaproject:

1) Commissioning of Silos 3 & 4:

• The newly commissioned Dipka CHP-Silo FMC project has an annual coal evacuation capacity of 25 million tonnes (MTPA).

• With the addition of Silos 3 & 4, the total coal dispatch capacity of Dipka has surged to 40 MTPA, up from the previous 15 MTPA capacity through the Merry-Go-Round (MGR) system.

• This upgrade ensures that transportation infrastructure is now aligned with production levels, enabling seamless coal evacuation.

2) Rapid Loading System:

• The Rapid Loading System ensures faster and more accurate loading of coal into rakes, minimizing underloading and overloading.

• This system reduces loading times, leading to shorter turnaround times and improved rake availability for Indian Railways.

3) Eco-Friendly and Efficient Coal Evacuation:

• The FMC project at Dipka is a part of SECL’s efforts to promote sustainable coal transportation.

• By reducing dependence on road transport, the project saves on diesel expenses and contributes to a cleaner environment.

• It also enhances coal quality by minimising contamination and losses during transportation.

4) First Mile Connectivity (FMC) Projects:

• Under the PM GatiShakti Plan, SECL has prioritised the development of FMC infrastructure to modernise coal transportation.

• SECL has undertaken 17 FMC projects with a cumulative capacity of 233 MTPA.

• Out of these, nine projects with a total capacity of 151 MTPA have already been commissioned, while the remaining eight projects (82 MTPA capacity) are under development and targeted for commissioning in the next 2-3 years.

5) Benefits of FMC Infrastructure:

• Improved efficiency and accurate loading, minimising both underloading and overloading of coal in rakes.

• Faster loading times leading to shorter turnaround time and improving rake availability.

• Enhanced coal quality, minimising contamination and losses.

• Reduced dependence on road transport, leading to savings on diesel expenses and a cleaner environment.

• The commissioning of the new silos and rapid loading system at Dipka represents a win-win situation for all stakeholders, including SECL, Indian Railways, and coal consumers.

• It underscores the importance of infrastructure modernisation in achieving operational efficiency and environmental sustainability in the coal sector.

(The author is a trainer for Civil Services aspirants.)