By Our Correspondent in Bhunbaneswar, February 8, 2015 :

Odisha is all set to witness rapid development of its rail infrastructure for evacuation of coal with the union coal ministry planning to double coal production in the next five years.

The ministry has targeted to enhance the coal production of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) from present level of 125 million tons to 250 million tons by 2020, according to union Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said today.

Two SPVs, to be formed by MCL, Indian Railways and Odisha government, for laying of railway lines for evacuation of coal from Talcher Coal Block and Ib Valley Coal Block in central Odisha will facilitate transportation of coal from the pithead.

The state government has already formed one SPV for construction of railway lines in Talcher Coal Block area. Coal India would be the majority shareholder with 64 per cent stake in each of the SPV. The Railways would have 26 per cent stake each and the remaining 10 per cent shareholding would be with the Odisha government.

Swarup said such efforts of the state government will set an example for other States.

These SPVs would be mainly for constructing additional lines, sidings for evacuating coal from the CIL mines in Odisha.

Swarup appreciated the state government for taking intensive steps to expedite the activities for development of the coal blocks.”