New Delhi, June 5 -- New Delhi: State-run Coal India Ltd (CIL) plans to set up 19 new first-mile connectivity projects (FMC) in FY26, targeting a 19% increase in coal loading through these projects.

FMC is an automated coal evacuation process which ensures eco-friendly coal transportation from pithead, in piped conveyor belts, to loading points.

Under FMC, coal producers adopt alternative transport methods-such as mechanized conveyor systems and computerized loading on to railway rakes-to replace road transport.

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In a statement on Thursday, the company reported a 34% increase in environment-friendly coal loading through FMC to 102.5 million tonnes in FY25. This wa...