Production and despatch of coal from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) have started picking up gradually as the company gears up to reduce the estimated 24 million tonne coal production loss incurred due to sporadic stoppages and unavailability  of land resources during current financial year.

Loss of coal production due to intermittent stoppages is estimated at 6.07 million tonne while 18.04 million tonne production loss is estimated due to stoppage of mine progress (land constraint).

Besides, heavy rains had lashed coalfields for a longer duration as compared to previous years, making mining operations difficult and pushing MCL to a decreased output of 30 to 35 per cent from coalfields during rainy season.

To meet the production target, the company has launched synergic efforts at project level to maximize output and reduce shortfall from the production and despatch targets.

The coal production in MCL, which had plunged even below 1.5 lakh tonne a day due to stoppages in coalfields and inclement weather conditions, has regained momentum with company registering dry fuel production of around four lakh tonne a day.

However, a prolonged dispute between Soloda and Danara villages in the periphery of Balram OCP under Hingula Area in Talcher coalfields continues, hitting mining operations for the last 50 days.

With an estimated loss of 20,000 tonne coal production and 30,000 tonne despatch daily due to stoppage, Balram OCP has suffered one million tonne coal production loss and 1.5 million tonne less supply of dry fuel to consumers, including Nalco, JITPL, JSPL, BSL and GMR.

MCL has witnessed strikes and bandhs, with Balram OCP and Kaniha OCP in Talcher registering record loss of working hours at 1,521 hours (63 days approx) and 1,011 hours (42 days approx.)

respectively.