First Mile Connectivity Projects to Modernize Coal Transportation and Enhance Sustainability

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, stated that First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects modernize coal evacuation by replacing traditional road transport from mines with mechanized systems such as conveyor belts, rapid loading systems, and integrated coal handling plants. Key advantages of FMC projects include:

They significantly reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions by eliminating diesel-based truck movement, while enclosed and dust-controlled systems improve environmental performance.
They enable faster, high-capacity, and fully mechanized coal handling and loading, reducing bottlenecks and improving turnaround times.
FMC systems preserve coal quality by minimizing manual handling and limiting losses during transit.
Operational and transportation costs are lowered through direct, energy-efficient conveyance to rail sidings or loading points.
Reduced road traffic enhances occupational safety, lowers accident risks, and improves working conditions in mining areas.

The Ministry of Coal has planned to set up 102 FMC projects with a total capacity of 1,092 MT by FY2030 in a phased manner. Presently, 44 FMC projects with a capacity of 429.5 MTY are operational.

The total capital expenditure envisaged for these FMC projects is about ₹31,367.66 crore. This investment covers mechanized coal handling plants, rapid loading systems, closed conveyor networks, integrated silos, railway sidings, and associated infrastructure to enable seamless mechanized coal evacuation.

FMC projects improve coal quality through closed conveyor systems and silos, reducing contamination from dust, stones, and moisture. Mechanized loading ensures uniform sizing, controlled dispatch, and minimal manual handling, preventing degradation and grade mixing. As a result, end users—especially power plants and industries—receive cleaner, more consistent coal, enhancing combustion efficiency and reducing emissions. FMC projects mark a key shift toward reliable and sustainable coal logistics.