Central Coalfield Limited (CCL), Chairman cum Managing Director (CMD), PM Prasad met media persons for the first time on Thursday after the approval of his name as Coal India Limited (CIL) Chairman. Talking to media persons about his priorities as CIL Chairman he said the first aim is to achieve the target of one billion tonnes of coal production by the year 205-26.

Prasad said to get the target to achieve land clearance; forest and environment clearance stuck at different levels will be expedited. He informed that Coal India had produced 700 million tonnes of coal last year and at the same time, it has to be increased by 300 million tonnes in two to two and a half years. He said, along with increasing production, ensuring coal dispatch to the power sector is also included in his priority.

The CIL Chairman further said, the import of non-coking coal will decrease due to increase in coal production and this will also save foreign exchange. He said, at present India imports 160-200 million tonnes of non-coking coal from other countries. He also said that CIL is starting two new power plants including MBPL's 800 MW power plant in Mahanandi Company. Apart from this, a power plant of CCL is about to start in Chhattisgarh with the State Government whose capacity is 500 MW. He said that with its introduction, the long haulage of coal will be reduced.
 
Prasad talked about increasing the production of coking coal. He said, Stage 1 clearance has been received at Kotre Vasant LK in CCL after environment clearance, production of five million tonnes will start here. He explained that India imports more than 50 million tonnes of coking coal from other countries every year whereas coking coke is imported from other countries in the financial year 2022-23.

The CIL Chairman said that his focus will be on ESG where E for Environment, C for Social and G for Governance. “Environment will be his priority. For this, more trees will be planted than the target. Ponds will also be constructed. Along with this, Coal India will also set up a 3,000 MW solar plant in the direction of renewable energy which will be completed within two years,” he added.

Prasad said that underground mining would also be started along with open cast to balance the production. At present, underground mining is being done in two mines. Due to which 26 million are being produced. It is targeted to reach 100 million tonnes by 2030.