Kolkata, Aug 16 (IANS): Coal India said on Wednesday that 62 coal projects, out of 120 ongoing projects, were not running on schedule mainly due to delay in obtaining forest clearances, acquiring land and issues related to rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R).

"120 coal projects and 71 non mining projects costing Rs 20 crore and above are in different stages of implementation. Out of 120 coal projects, 58 projects are running on schedule and 62 are delayed," the miner said in its latest annual report.

Out of 71 non mining projects, 27 are delayed, the miner said.

"34 coal mining projects are running behind schedule due to delay in obtaining forestry clearances and 17 are (running behind) due to delay in acquisition of land and associated R&R issues," the report said.

In addition, seven projects are running behind schedule due to delay or discontinuance of work or non-participation in tender by contractor. One project is running behind due to law and order problem and three projects due to lack of railway infrastructure facilities for coal evacuation.

As many as eight coal mining projects for an ultimate capacity of 56.25 mty (million tonnes per year) and a total capital investment of Rs 8,931.05 crore have been sanctioned by Coal India board during the last financial year.

During 2016-17, the miner completed seven coal projects, each costing Rs 20 crore and above, with an ultimate capacity of 24.20 mty and completion cost of Rs 1,190.98 crore.

As many as 11 coal mining projects for an ultimate capacity of 16.74 mty and capital investment of Rs 3,427.26 crore have been sanctioned by its subsidiary coal companies during 2016-17.

The miner, which operates through 82 mining areas spread over eight provincial states of India, has 394 mines (as on April 1, 2017) of which 193 are underground, 177 opencast and 24 mixed mines.