42 of Coal India’s projects fall behind due to permission delays

Even as Coal India ramps up output to meet rising demand, 42 of its projects are falling behind schedule due to delays in statutory permissions and other challenges. During FY-22, the state-owned miner completed five coal projects with a sanctioned capacity of 12.60 million tonne (mt) and a capital of 17.69 billion. It had also started 117 coal projects with a total capacity of 918.86 mt and a total cost of Rs 1.32 trillion. These are in varying phases of implementation, with 75 projects on track and 42 behind schedule, according to the company's annual report for 2021-22. “The major reasons for delay in implementation of these projects are delay in forest clearances, land and issues related to resettlement and rehabilitation of the project affected,” the report said. According to CIL Chairman Pramod Agrawal, coal, which accounts for 55 per cent of the country's principal commercial energy, is the energy sector's growth engine. Renewable energy sources should not be considered as a threat to coal's position in the near future.