WCL continues coal mining to power India in its fight against Coronavirus

Nagpur: Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited and Miniratna PSU under the Ministry of Coal, is forging ahead on its goal to energise the nation by continuing its coal mining activity despite the threat of Coronavirus (COVID19). WCL's dedicated and brave employees are working 24×7 in both underground and opencast coal mines to produce and despatch enough coal to its linked Power Plants so that there should be no disruption in power supply in the country at present necessary to combat the menace of Coronavirus (COVID19).

The coal mining activity and its transportation have been declared as essential service during the lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak. In line with other essential services and without affecting their morale under the present crisis, Team WCL, with its 42,000 Karmvir employees has registered highest-ever single day coal production of 4.29 lakh tonnes on March 27. The last highest production registered by the company was 4.02 lakh tonnes on March 30, 2019. WCL already broke its earlier record on March 20, by surpassing 53.18 million tonnes (MT) produced during 2018-19.

The company is now heading to surpass its annual target of 56 MT for 2019-20 by a comfortable margin. WCL also surpassed its annual target of 2018-19 by registering a growth of over 15 percent. WCL supplies 80 percent of its production to power plants located in Central, Western and Southern India. The major consumer being State Gencos of Maharashtra (MAHAGENCO) followed by MP, Gujarat, Karnataka and Haryana. Other consumers are NTPC Limited & other private power plants of the region. WCL has been able to maintain sufficient coal stock at the above plants and continues to do so by dispatching more than 1.5 lakh tonnes of coal per day by rail and road mode during the present crisis also so that nation continues to be energised.

Social Distancing

WCL operates 55 mines in 10 areas spread over states of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. In order to provide a safe workplace to its employees during the threat of COVID-19, all the areas are working hard to make available all precautionary measures required for the safety of workers.

Around 25,000 masks have been provided to the employees and further 10,000 to be distributed shortly. Over 10,000 hand-kerchief or scarf have also been provided. The facility of hand wash has been made available in each mine & distancing system between two employees wherever possible has been introduced. Sanitization of big & small mining equipment used by operators is also being done. 

Hospital Beds

WCL, as a responsible PSU in the region, has also made provision of 75 beds in its 10 different area hospitals in both Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh for use of quarantine of suspected Coronavirus cases. Doctors, nurses and para-medical staffs have been put on alert to deal with any eventuality. Taskforce at headquarters and each area-level comprising of senior officers have been formed to educate employees and monitor all required activity in their concerned area essential to combat COVID-19.

Disclaimer: This story is a press release and is being published without any editing by PSU Watch desk. Our editorial team has only changed the headline.

(PSU Watch– India's Business News centre that places the spotlight on PSUs, Bureaucracy, Defence and Public Policy is now on Telegram. Join PSU Watch Channel in your Telegram and stay updated)