By Sapna Dogra and E. Shailaja Nair

August 18, 2017 - Government-owned Coal India Limited, which has a target to produce around 1 billion mt of coal by fiscal 2019-2020 (April-June), said Wednesday that 62 of its mining projects were running behind schedule, mainly due to a delay in obtaining forest clearances, acquiring land, and issues related to rehabilitation and resettlement.

CIL's 120 coal projects and 71 non-mining projects were in different stages of implementation, CIL said in its latest annual report.

Of the 120 coal projects, 58 were on schedule while 62 were delayed, CIL said. Of the 71 non mining projects, 27 were delayed, it added.

As many as 34 coal mining projects were facing a delay in obtaining forestry clearances and 17 had land acquisition and associated issues, the report said.

Seven projects were running behind schedule due to delayed or discontinued work or non-participation in tender by the contractors. One project was running behind due to a law and order problem and three due to lack of railway infrastructure facilities, CIL said.

During fiscal 2016-2017 CIL produced 554.14 million mt of coal, missing the targeted output by 44.48 million mt.

As of April 1, 2017, CIL has 394 mines of which 193 are underground, 177 opencast and 24 mixed mines.