Coal India has brought in Indian Port Rail Corporation Limited (IPRCL) to upgrade the coal evacuation infrastructure at its major mines across subsidiaries.

The public sector miner has signed a memorandum of understanding with IPRCL on Thursday to execute rail infrastructure works, construction of additional railway sidings and connectivity with railway main lines.

The move will also help CILs first-mile connectivity with mines.

First-mile connectivity is transportation of coal from the pithead to despatch points.

This will be implemented in CIL’s 35 coal projects,each having a production capacity of 4 million tonnes per annum. Construction of railway lines is necessary for infrastructure upgrade at these projects.

CIL has also decided to switch over to mechanised coal transportation through piped conveyor belts in its large mines by 2023-24.

The scope of work of IPRCL includes preparation of the feasibility study report, detailed project report and its approval from railways, project management consultancy, execution of work, operation and maintenance of siding.