The Ministry of Railways is planning to fast track three coal link projects, pending since 1999, following a push from the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-headed Cabinet Committee on Investment pushing for fast-tracking of projects.
The three rail corridors, which include Tori-Shivpuri-Kathotia in North Karanpura, Jharkhand; Bhupdeopur-Korichhaapar to Mand Raigadh mines in Chhattisgarh and Barpali-Jharsuguda in IB Valley, Odisha, are to be completed by December 2016.
The lines in Odisha and Jharkhand are fully funded by Coal India, while the one in Chhattisgarh would be set up through a joint venture. After completion of these coal corridors, these lines would facilitate around 250-300 million tonnes of coal movement every year.
