Central Coalfields doubles its coal output during lockdown

NEW DELHI: The proverb, ‘cometh the hour, cometh the man' holds well for Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, which more than doubled its production from 3.2 lakh tonnes per day to 6.7 lakh per day on 30th March, since the lockdown has started. Moreover, its production hasn't peaked, and the company is now attempting for 7 lakh tonnes per day, which may be achieved by the time this news gets published.

The fact that this feat has been achieved by this dedicated work force in a very short span of 6 days amid lockdown and threat of Corona virus, when people are asked to stay in their homes. However, also, the safety of the employees has been continued to be given topmost priority. The guidelines issued by the GOI like social distancing, sanitization of workplace, machines, use masks etc have been strictly followed. The endeavour is to guarantee seamless availability of fuel to the nation, when we have waged this war against the menace of Corona virus i.e. COVID19.

One million tonne of coal is enough to run a 200 Mega Watt (MW) power plant for a year. Therefore, with almost 0.7 million tonne coal per day, CCL is producing enough coal to run a 200 MW power plant for almost 7-8 months. Country should be assured in these testing time that Coal workers are working 24x7 in 3 shifts with dedication and enthusiasm, so that electricity reaches each and every household and hospitals of the nation uninterruptedly. Coal Mining activity and its transportation has been declared as Essential Service during the lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak.