As of December 10, 2025, the Ministry of Coal, under Minister Shri G. Kishan Reddy, has implemented several initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in coal transportation and mining. These initiatives include: Implementation of first mile connectivity projects to reduce road transportation; implementation of solar power projects; implementation of energy conservation measures such as use of LED lights, Energy Efficient ACs, Super Fans, Efficient Water Heaters, and Auto Timers in Street Lighting and Capacitor Banks in the mines, colonies and office buildings; and Reclamation and plantation in coal mining areas. Since FY 2021, 22 first-mile connectivity projects with a capacity of 252.5 MT have been implemented in coal PSUs, bringing the total to 65 projects with a total capacity of 552 MT. These 65 projects are estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 3.3 lakh tonnes per annum by shifting coal transport from diesel trucks to energy-efficient rapid loading and rail systems.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: The primary governmental body responsible for the initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in the coal sector.
First Mile Connectivity: A program focused on coal transportation projects aimed at reducing carbon emissions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1710
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
Initiatives to Reduce Carbon Emission
1710: Shri Baijayant Panda:
Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:
(a) the initiatives taken by the Government to reduce carbon emissions in the coal sector
particularly in transportation and mining operations;
(b) the number of coal transportation projects using First Mile Connectivity that have been
completed during the last five years; and
(c) the details of the estimated reduction in emissions achieved through these projects?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) Ministry of Coal has taken following initiatives to reduce carbon emissions in
transportation and mining operations:
i. Implementation of first mile connectivity projects to reduce road transportation;
ii. Implementation of solar power projects;
iii. Implementation of energy conservation measures such as use of LED lights, Energy
Efficient ACs, Super Fans, Efficient Water Heaters, and Auto Timers in Street Lighting
and Capacitor Banks in the mines, colonies and office buildings; and
iv. Reclamation and plantation in coal mining areas.
(b) & (c) 22 first-mile connectivity projects having capacity of 252.5 MT have been
implemented in coal PSUs since FY 2021. This has taken the total number of first-mile
connectivity projects to 65 with total capacity of 552 MT.
There is an estimated reduction of 3.3 lakh tonnes of CO₂ equivalent per annum at full capacity
on account of shift of coal transport from diesel trucks to energy-efficient rapid loading and
rail systems from these 65 projects.
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