PM Gati Shakti: SECL, IRCON and CERL sign loan agreement for Rail Corridor

New Delhi: In a major development in PM Gati Shakti Rail Corridor Projects in Chhattisgarh, Rupee Term Loan documents were executed between the Central Bank of India under sole banking and the promoters, i.e., South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Ircon International Limited (IRCON), CSIDC and CERL, in New Delhi, towards development of Phase-II of Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited (CERL). The total debt exposure in this financial contract will be of Rs 1349.00 crore. This concludes the documentation process of achieving financial closure of the project, which is a major milestone.

The Chhattisgarh East Railway Limited (CERL) is a subsidiary company of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) (with 64 percent stake) formed as a joint venture with Ircon International Limited (IRCON) (with 26 percent stake) and Chhattisgarh State Industrial Development Corporation (CSIDC), representing GoCG, (with 10 percent stake). CERL project is planned with the specific purpose of constructing rail infrastructure in the state of Chhattisgarh.

This Project is being implemented based on the Joint Venture (JV) model of PPP projects under Concession Agreement (CA) with Ministry of Railways and is notified as 'Special Railway Project' to provide national infrastructure for a public purpose with high priority accorded by the Government of India. CERL is planned in two phases. The Phase I of CERL is majorly commissioned and is facilitating evacuation of Coal from Mand Raigarh Coalfields.

The CERL Phase-II project with a project length of 62.50 kms from Dharamjaygarh to Korba is planned to provide the critical rail link between CERL Phase-I which stretches from Kharsia to Dharamjaygarh with Spur line up to Pelma and three feeder lines (124.80 kms) and CEWRL which stretches from Gevra Road to Pendra Road (Main Line of 135 kms). This will provide an alternate rail route for transportation of coal to the northern parts of the country. This will provide a link from Kharsia to Pendra which will facilitate surplus Coal movement of Mand-Raigarh Coalfields and Basundra Coalfields to the Northern and Western Power House of the country.

CERL Phase II project cost is estimated to be Rs 1686.22 crore with a funding structure of Debt: Equity of 80:20 i.e., Rs 1349.00 crore of debt and Rs 337.22 crore of equity. Demonstrating the commitment towards the project, the promoters have already invested Rs 273.81 cores in the project. Utilizing this money, the company has been able to acquire the required land and forest clearance. The project is expected to be completed by March 2026.

This will facilitate in obtaining disbursements from the bank and undertaking the construction activity by the JV company leading to employment opportunities in the state and economic growth. The Rail Corridor Project in Chhattisgarh will contribute to the Socio-Economic–Environmental advancement of the State of Chhattisgarh and propel growth.

SECL is one of the largest Coal producing subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) having produced 167 MT Coal in the last FY’. CERL Phase-II is a major National Infrastructure Project listed in PM Gati Shakti.

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