As per the 12th Plan document, the total production of coal by Coal India Limited has been projected to increase from 435.8 million tonnes to 615 million tonnes in 2016-17. This information was given by the Minister of State for Coal, Shri Pratik PrakashBapu Patil in a written reply in Rajya Sabha today
He said during the same period the total demand for Coal in the country has been estimated to increase from 640 million to 980.5 million tonnes in 2016-17 which represents an increase of 340.5 million tonnes. Therefore the incremental production of coal targeted for CIL during the 12th Plan period works out to 52.6% of the estimated incremental demand in the 12th Plan period.
The main hurdles in increasing coal production by CIL include delay in land acquisition, environment and forest clearance and in the completion of projects relating to movement of coal, especially by rail.