BCCL Achieves Major Milestone with Successful Trial Rake Loading at Maheshpur RLS
First rake dispatched to NTPC Nabinagar as BCCL advances its First Mile Connectivity initiative
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has achieved a significant milestone in strengthening its coal evacuation infrastructure with the successful trial rake loading at the Maheshpur Rapid Loading System (RLS) and dispatch of the first rake to NTPC Nabinagar.
The milestone marks an important step in BCCL’s efforts to modernise its coal logistics network and enhance the efficiency of coal evacuation through mechanised railway loading.
The Maheshpur RLS, with a capacity of 5 million tonnes per annum (MTY), is BCCL’s first First Mile Connectivity (FMC) project. Developed with the support of the Ministry of Coal and Coal India, and in collaboration with the State Government and Indian Railways, the facility is designed to enable rapid and mechanised loading of coal into railway rakes.
BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal was present during the inauguration and trial operation. Director (Finance/HR) Rajesh Kumar, General Manager (Govindpur) Satyakam Anand, General Manager (Barora) K.K. Singh, General Manager (UG & Siding) G.K. Mehta, General Manager (Electrical & Mechanical) R.R. Karna, Project Officer (Maheshpur Silo) Dheeraj Kumar, along with officials from Indian Railways and other stakeholders, were also present.
Maheshpur Project Moves Towards Full Operations
Construction of the Maheshpur Silo was completed in January 2020. Subsequent work involved development of associated railway infrastructure, obtaining statutory approvals and completing operational requirements.
The project recorded several key milestones in 2026. Rail connectivity to the Main DC Line was completed on August 7, followed by Non-Interlocking (NI) work on August 19 and diesel engine trials on September 9.
On August 27, 2026, M/s Merit Technologies India Limited was issued the Letter of Award for operation and maintenance of the silo for a period of five years.
The Railway Authority subsequently approved the Commercial Notification for four weeks on September 15, 2026, paving the way for trial rake operations.
Following completion of the preparatory work, trial rake loading was successfully conducted at Maheshpur RLS on September 20, with the first rake subsequently dispatched to NTPC Nabinagar.
Boost to Mechanised Coal Evacuation
The Maheshpur RLS is designed to improve coal evacuation through rapid, mechanised loading of railway rakes, reducing dependence on traditional loading systems and improving the interface between coal-handling infrastructure and railway transportation.
The facility is expected to contribute to a more efficient and reliable coal logistics chain while supporting BCCL’s efforts to modernise its evacuation infrastructure.
As BCCL’s first FMC project, the successful trial operation at Maheshpur represents an important achievement in the company’s ongoing efforts to strengthen mechanised coal evacuation.
The milestone has been achieved through coordinated efforts involving BCCL, Indian Railways, executing agencies and other stakeholders, taking the Maheshpur RLS a significant step closer to regular operations.
