Hazaribagh (Barkagaon), Aug. 7: National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), which in May started mining coal at its Pakri-Barwadih captive mine in Barkagaon block, is readying world-class infrastructure for smooth and fast transport of the bulk consignment to do away with hassles on road.

NTPC is building a 14km-long and 12-feet wide conveyor belt to transport coal from Arahara in Barkagaon to Banadag yard dump adjacent to Hazaribagh station, from where coal would be loaded in goods trains for distribution across India.

"This is the first time NTPC is using conveyor belt to transport coal from site to station," additional general manager (mechanical) Gautam Sen told The Telegraph. "So far, 1.5km of the conveyor belt has been erected," he added, but refused to divulge the cost of constructing the conveyor belt.

The construction of the conveyor belt started a year ago and is expected to be completed in 2017. Once ready, around 60,000 tonnes of coal excavated from Pakri-Barwadih mine will daily be transported on it to Arahara.

From there, it will be transported to Banadag via the conveyor belt, taking the burden off road and trucks.

Right now, coal mining at Pakri-Barwadih mine is done in a small way and the consignment transported in trucks the conventional way.

An NTPC official said the conveyor belt, passing along Barkagaon-Hazaribagh Road and forest areas, will work round the clock, ensuring timely delivery of goods.

"The company will not have to depend on truck drivers and traffic conditions. The hi-tech conveyor belt will be fully computerised. We just have to load the coal on the belt, which will keep rolling towards Banadag yard 24x7," added an official.

NTPC at present is working on three projects in Hazaribagh - Pakri-Barwadih, Keredari and Chatti Bariatu.