CIL, Indian Railways to form task force

NEW DELHI, May 7 (UPI) -- State-run Coal India Ltd. and Indian Railways said they will form a task force to monitor the movement of coal.

Junior Minister for Coal Santosh Bagrodia said CIL and Indian Railways would each contribute two to three members to the task force; the body would regulate activities such as rationalization of loading and siding points.

CIL also wants additional rakes from the Indian Railways to move greater quantities of coal, in line with the company's plan to increase production and liquidate stocks lying at pit heads, a senior company official said.

Bagrodia earlier proposed the liquidation of CIL's stocks of 47 million tons to ensure adequate supply to the market.

"Coal shortage scenario has to be eradicated at the earliest and the target of 405 MTs to be increased by 5 percent, that is to 425 MTs. Stocks have to be brought down to not more than 24 MTs by the end of March 2009," said CIL Chairman Partha S. Bhattacharya.