Railways stakes claim for coal transport planning, fix 'big mismatch'

Coal freight is railways' biggest source of revenue, earning it Rs 67,000 crore in 2021-22

The railways ministry plans to have an "overarching" say over transporting coal by planning and setting up supply routes based on upcoming mines and demand.

The proposal aims to fix an annual supply crisis during summers and is being worked on under PM Gati-Shakti national Master plan. “As the transporter, we are the best-equipped to identify and plan the fastest and the most efficient supply routes for coal transportation. With the fruition of the plan, the aim is to no longer have a power crisis every year,” said a senior ministry official in the know of the matter.

When power