Hazaribag: The Pakri Barwadih coal mining project of NTPC has achieved a milestone by surpassing 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal production since inception, it announced on Thursday.According to officials, coal production at the Pakri Barwadih project operating in Barkagaon block of Hazaribag district, began in Jan 2017, while the first rail rake was dispatched in Feb 2017. The project was declared commercial on April 2019. Maintaining rapid growth, the project crossed the 50 MMT mark in May 2023 and in less than three years, doubled the figure to reach 100 MMT, reflecting high efficiency and accelerated operational expansion, officials added.They said several key infrastructural and operational achievements have played a crucial role in this progress. These include commissioning of stream A and B of the coal handling plant in 2022, dispatch of the 20,000th rake in Dec 2024 and integration with a rapid loading system in Aug 2024, which significantly enhanced coal transportation efficiency. In addition, the project is equipped with Asia’s longest closed coal conveyor system connecting the mine to the Banadag railway siding, ensuring seamless and environment-friendly coal transportation.Sources said the achievement of the project is the result of support from the state govt, and continuous cooperation from local villagers and stakeholders.Project head Subrat Kumar Das said, “The achievement is the result of the team’s relentless hard work, dedication and support from all stakeholders.”