Coal Minister Piyush Goyal Monday pitched for long-term planning for mining operations and concrete steps to ensure adequate supply of dry fuel to power plants.
The minister made the suggestion while inspecting coal mining and dispatch operations at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Odisha's Jharsuguda.
Goyal inspected Samleshwari Open Cast Project in Ib Valley Coalfields where the concerned officers briefed him on coal mining and supply operations, MCL said in a release.
Emphasising the need for preparing long-term project planning, the minister favoured mines-wise detailed plan to be prepared for at least 20 years of operations, it said.
"We need to conduct mine-wise review regarding their coal dispatch capability," he said while stressing on ensuring adequate coal supply to power plants.
Taking note of mines low performance following delay in shifting of a siding, the minister directed both MCL and railways officials to take up this project on fast track so that production from mines is not hampered.
The minister was accompanied by Inderjit Singh, Coal secretary, A K Jha, chairman of Coal India, R R Mishra, CMD of MCL and other senior officers.
Goyal, who is on a day-long visit to review coal mining and supply operations of MCL, also inspected mines in Talcher area.
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