Coal news and updates

RailMin must resolve rake problems: Port official

October 21: Ministry of Railways and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) should take proactive role in resolving the issue of rakes shortage at ports, a senior official from Mundra Port told ICMW.

“It is a long term problem… The Ministry of Railways has to resolve this along with the PMO. We have taken the issue to the local and central levels along with importers. But the situation is not improving,” he complained.

He elaborated that coal requirement at various power plants have shot up because of the government’s intention to supply uninterrupted power in the country. Since domestic coal supply is in shortage due to legal issues, imports have increased. But the basic problem lies in logistics, he said.

“The requirement of coal has increased as the government has tried to minimise power cuts. But, for this, more coal is required. And if we need more coal … more infrastructure is required to evacuate the same,” he said, adding, “Wagon arrangements have to be done in such a way that sufficient supply is there and it is their responsibility to move coal.”

Another official at Vizag Port earlier expressed similar concern when ICMW spoke to him.

At Paradip Port, however, officials feel the port has little role to play in this connection.

An official from the port told ICMW, “In resolving the issue of increasing stocks of imported coal at the port, we have little role to play. It is the company concerned and the railways that have to resolve the issue together.”