IRCON implements the 2-phase Rs.1,700 crore project
Constructed at a cost of Rs.300 crore, the first phase Angul-Balram rail-link was commissioned on 29 Dec 2022, enhancing the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) capacity to despatch coal by 10 more rakes daily.
Built by MCRL (Mahanadi Coal Railway Limited), a Joint Venture Company (JV) of MCL, IRCON International Ltd and IDCO, the Angul-Balram rail link is the first phase of a total 68-km-long Inner Corridor – Angul-Balram-PutugadiaJarapada-Tentuloi — which will cater to the coal mines of Talcher in Angul district of Odisha.
The inner corridor is being implemented by MCRL in two phases. The first phase is 14-km-long Angul-Balram rail link while the Phase-II will be building 54-km-long Balram-Putugadia-Jarapada-Tentuloi rail-link.
IRCON International Ltd is the implementing agency for the Rs.1,700 crore project.
In the MCRL, MCL, as a representative of the Ministry of Coal, has 64% equity shares, while IRCON, representing the Ministry of Railways, has 26% and IDCO, representing the Govt of Odisha, has 10% equity shares. This JV was formed in 2015 to undertake project development, financing and implementation of common rail corridor for the identified coal projects in the state of Odisha.
The rail-link will also facilitate evacuation of dry fuel from the coal blocks allotted to miners other than Coal India in Talcher coalfields.
The project was inaugurated on 29 Dec 2022 by Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi along with Minister of Education, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Dharmendra Pradhan and Minister of Railways, Communications, Electronics & Information Technology Ashwani Vaishnav. fiinews.com
