NMDC Urges for Expanded Access to Ranjitpura Rail Yard to Boost Operations in Karnataka

NMDC, India's largest iron ore miner, is actively pursuing expansion plans at its Donimalai and Kumaraswamy mines in the Bellary region of Karnataka. In a recent development, the company has reached out to the Railways, urging for land and exclusive rights to a rail yard to support its growing operations.

Amitava Mukherjee, serving as NMDC's Chairman & Managing Director in an additional capacity, has penned a letter to Jaya Verma Sinha, Chairperson of the Railway Board, seeking a meeting to discuss the necessity of acquiring additional land. This land would be utilized for mechanizing operations at a railway siding, thereby facilitating increased dispatch of ore from the mines.

The Steel Ministry, which oversees NMDC's operations, has reportedly endorsed the proposal, aiming to expedite the necessary approvals for the project.

The Donimalai and Kumaraswamy Mines, currently operating under the South Western Railway's Hubbali Division, are undergoing an expansion of their iron ore production capacity from 14 MTPA to 17 MTPA.

Despite NMDC's efforts, the South Western Railway has thus far declined to allocate land at the Ranjitpura yard, citing its status as a private yard and the inability to grant exclusive access to a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE).

Mukherjee's letter highlights NMDC's proposal to remodel the Ranjitpura yard at its own expense, aiming to enhance its siding capacity to accommodate the increased ore evacuation needs. He further proposes leasing the area for a period of 35 years to allow NMDC to utilize the yard for stacking and loading purposes.

The letter emphasizes NMDC's commitment to its capacity building plans and underscores the necessity of augmenting evacuation infrastructure to support its expanding operations effectively.

HBL