October 14, 2008

Panel to examine feasible o coal transportation via waterways

FE reported that the Indian government, in view of bottlenecks in the existing transportation network of the railways, has proposed coal transportation through waterways.

It has formed a committee chaired by Planning Commission member Mr Kirit Parikh to make slew of suggestions. Centre’s initiative is crucial as 20 million tonnes of domestic and 10 million tonnes of imported thermal coal is currently being transported through coastal shipment and these are projected to grow to 30 million tonnes of domestic and 20 million tonnes of imported thermal coal by the end of the eleventh plan.

The report cited an official source as saying that “The committee will assess the feasibility of coal transportation through waterways based on economic considerations. It will take into account the bottlenecks of the existing transportation network of Railways while exploring alternative modes of transportation. There is a consensus that an alternative mode like waterways, inland as well as coastal, should complement the railways."

CEA has called for a need for exploring alternative modes of coal transportation as the existing railway network is unable to take additional load. Coastal shipping and use of inland waterways could become a viable alternative for new plants. Central Electricity Authority has already received applications from prospective developers for setting up nearly 250 MW generating capacity at coastal locations in Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

According to the Inland waterways Authority of India, in addition to 3 existing National Waterways, 2 new waterways are planned in the 11th Plan. One of the proposed waterways comprising inland and coastal route would be most appropriate for moving coal out of IB valley and Talcher coalfields.