Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) has created a new record during the just concluded fiscal 2018-19 by surpassing the production target and registering highest ever growth in production and despatch since its inception. WCL has achieved coal production of 53.18 Million Tonne (MT) during the year against MOU target of 49.70 MT. This is approximately 7 MT higher than the production of last year. The Company could achieve its target of production after a gap of 8 years.
WCL has registered a phenomenal growth of over 15% in coal production which is highest ever since its inception. Similarly, WCL also surpassed despatch target of 49.70 MT by a comfortable margin of 5.86 MT. Company has posted all-time highest growth of above 14% in coal off take with despatch of 55.56 MT during the current fiscal vis-Ã -vis 48.75 MT achieved in the corresponding period last year.
The above boost in production and despatch during the year will help the Company in achieving better financial results during the fiscal as compared to the year 2017-18.
With introduction of Mission WCL 2.0 early in 2018-19, Team WCL could formalize different fundamentals which resulted in exceeding the production target of 49.70 MT, 10 days before  March 31. Company could also cross the barrier of 50 MT production in a year on March 22, 2019 which added another feather in its cap. Implementation of Mission WCL 2.0 at all levels could generate a new work culture in the Company in which each member of Team WCL, from bottom to top, joined their hands together to achieve this remarkable feat.
WCL could achieve the above feat due to opening of 20 mines during last 4 years. These mines could contribute 35.82 MT of coal during 2018-19. With proper planning and concerted efforts of different Areas of WCL, these new mines registered a growth of about 30% over last year.
WCL registered a remarkable achievement in acquisition of land during 2018-19 wherein about 990 Hectares of land was taken into physical possession and Rs. 403.92 Crores were distributed to the land owners with employment of 410 persons in the Company. This also helped in having access to additional coal reserves to sustain and surpass the level of 50 MT.
Substantial contribution came from Wani Area wherein the prestigious Penganga Opencast became highest coal producing project of the Company by registering 6.30 MT production during the year followed by Umrer Opencast with 4.9 MT and Makardokra-III Opencast with 3.26 MT in Umrer Area. Therefore, apart from opening of 20 mines during the last 4 years, WCL could gain more production by enhancing the capacity of existing mines and getting quick clearances from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
WCL has been pioneer in out-of-box efforts among all subsidiaries of CIL. In this context, apart from providing sand from overburden under CSR Scheme to Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT), WCL has started commercial mining and sale of sand on getting approval from Government of Maharashtra. The Company has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MOIL Limited for an annual supply of 50,000 Cu.M sand. WCL is also trying to have similar MOU with MAHAGENCO and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) during the year.
With quantum jump in production during the year 2018-19, more and more consumers viz., MAHAGENCO, NTPC, which are major power generating Companies in the State of Maharashtra, have been able to get coal at their doorsteps. Earlier, these companies were compelled to take coal from distant subsidiaries like Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) wherein the higher freight charges increased their landed cost of coal.
In the year 2018-19, 9 projects having total sanctioned capacity of 16.56 MT have been approved.
For the year 2019-20, under Mission WCL 2.0, the Company have adopted the theme “Quality Coal, Quality Life†for accomplishing holistic and sustainable growth. In order to have proper implementation of different activities in the Areas, MITRA (Mission Implementation Task Force for Regional Areas) Teams comprising of senior executives, supervisors and bottom most workers have been formed in different Areas.
In order to enhance medical facilities in the Company, 3 hospitals viz., (1) Rajiv Ratan Hospital, Ghugus, (2) J.N. Hospital, Kamptee and (3) Barkuhi Hospital, Parasia have been upgraded from Area Hospitals to Central Hospitals. Out Patient Departments (OPD) have already started functioning in these hospitals from 1st April, 2019 and newly recruited specialist doctors have also been posted.
Further infrastructure development and addition of more specialist doctors and paramedics is under process which will further increase the potential of these hospitals to cater to the needs of employees of the Company.
With contribution from employees and support from stakeholders, WCL is geared up to achieve new heights in 2019-20.
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