New Delhi: The Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), a Coal India subsidiary, pushed its production of coal to 32.9 million tonne (MT) in the first three quarters of the current financial year, growing at around 17 percent from about 28.1 MT in the year-ago period. The rise in output will help the country control its imports of coal, although thermal coal imports grew at 35 percent in the September quarter.

"This way, ECL has made five million tonne more coal available for its consumers, especially thermal power houses, for meeting energy needs of the country."

"During the first three quarters of 2018-19, ECL has achieved 32.9 million tonnes against achievement of 28.1 million tonnes in the same period last year, thereby attaining a growth of 17.2 percent in coal production," ECL said in a statement.

In April-December, ECL despatched 34.6 MT of coal, against 29.5 MT in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. "This way, ECL has made five million tonne more coal available for its consumers, especially thermal powerhouses, for meeting energy needs of the country," it said.

During the last quarter, ECL removed 88.3 million cubic metre overburden, against 82.4 million cubic metre in the year-ago period.

"The man productivity in the current year has been achieved as 3.12 tonne per man shift compared to 2.58 tonne per man shift achieved during the same period last year," it said.