SAIL to take RAILTEL's help in mine planning

Kolkata, Apr 25(UNI) In order to meet the ambitious production target of 23 million tonne by 2010, the Steel Authority of India Ltd(SAIL), in association with RAILTEL, Railway's Information network backbone, would introduce computerised mining systems in different parts of the country.

Speaking to UNI today, SAIL Executive Director (Raw Materials Division) M K Roy said, '' We are planning an integrated network for the mines. Computerised mine planning is very popular in abroad though it is new in India. '' '' We are first experimenting it in Chiria in Jharkhand which will be replicated in other mines as well. Through RAILTEL, data transmission, data transfer and integrated mine planning will be easier, '' he said.

Around Rs 16 crore would be invested initially in the current year. The total project cost would be Rs 22 crore.

Apart from RAILTEL, VSAT, ERP and video conferencing facilities would be introduced in the mine locations.

The RAILTEL would help expedite the moderisation and expansion of various steel plants under SAIL, including Bhilai Steel Plant and Bokaro Steel Plant.

UNI