India may produce about 614.55 million tonne of coal during 2013-14, while demand for the commodity may touch 769 million tonne, according to a revised estimate of the government.

This leaves a gap of 155.14 million tonne, which needs to be met through import.

Coal India (CIL) initiated the process of empanelling importers for importing the steel and power making raw material. The company will import only when it has received confirmed demand from power companies.

Minister of state for coal Pratik Prakash Bapu Patil pointed out that the important constraints in the production of coal relate to difficulties in acquisition of land, obtaining environment and forest related clearances, difficult geo mining conditions in some areas.

Further, India does not have enough coal evacuation capacity particularly through rail movement. Seasonal factors such as excessive rain and heat wave conditions also constrain production, the minister said.

Difficulties in resettlement and rehabilitation as also intermittent law and order problems are also experienced in some mining areas.