Mines Department issued notices to 9 coal mines of MCL…

Power India found that the Mines Department had served notices to nine mega coal mines of Mahandi Coal Fields (MCL) for not updating the “Consent to Operate” from the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

 

The notices were served on nine out of 11 coal mines at Talcher Coalfield. The other two mines named Balaram and Talcher Colliery have valid consent.

 

As said by Deputy Director of Mines, BP Rath:

“The consent to operate nine mega mines expired on March 31 and according to the law, these mines cannot operate till the renewal of the consent from SPCB. Considering the bitter experience in Keonjhar iron ore mines, we cannot be a party to the delay in getting consent. Hence, closure notices were� served on these mines of MCL. The notices were served with the consent of the Director of Mines.”

 

However, the MCL Director A K Singh has described the action as “unwarranted and uncalled for” and said

“Though the consent to operate has not been renewed after the expiry on March 31, the earlier consent is valid as we have applied for the renewal to the SPCB on time. Since our application has not been rejected by the SPCB, the consent stands valid and there is no problem in running the mines as per the law. MCL has already paid all the dues to the SPCB for consent for five years in 2010. “If required then we will move the court against the notice,” he added.

 

SPCB Regional Officer SK Sahu said he had already inspected the mines and submitted a report to the board for further action.

 

 

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/9-coal-mines-in-talcher-get-closure-notice/254421-60-117.html

 

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33 km long coal transportation corridor of Mahanadi Coalfields in West Bengal is not progressing as per the schedule…

Power India found that Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd’s (MCL) proposal of coal corridor between Basundhara to Bhedabahal is not progressing as per the scheduled timelines.

 

The proposed project of coal transportation corridors  will be constructed between Basundhara to Bhedabahal and will be having around 33 km four lane stretch exclusively for transportation of coal from mines and will be connected with the State Highway 10. The proposed investment of Rs. 385 Crs has been approved by the company board.

 

The proposal for the corridor came after accidents and dust pollution made life miserable for hundreds of villagers. About 5,000 heavy coal-laden vehicles that ply through Ujjalpur, Tangarpali, Chhatenpali, Duduka, Balinga, Bandhapali and Mahulpali during peak hours kick off clouds of dust leading to health problems and polluting water sources in the villages.

 

The villagers, who had pinned hopes on the corridor would have to wait for a long time. The proposal has not moved beyond the drawing board stage as neither the Sundargarh district administration nor MCL authorities are in a position to predict its time of completion.

 

Sources said that the Public Works Department (PWD), Sundargarh, has been entrusted with execution of the project and MCL would bear the entire cost. Sambalpur-based MCL spokesperson Dikken Mehera claimed that MCL had sanctioned Rs 385 crore for the project and it’s up to the district administration to do the rest.

 

Sundargarh Collector Rupa Roshan Sahu said the PWD had submitted estimates to MCL for land acquisition and project costs but a communication from MCL is awaited.

 

Administrative sources said after final approval from MCL, the land acquisition task would be taken up. It would be a couple of years before the harassed villagers could hope to get some relief.

 

The proposed project of coal transportation through these corridors will be easy and was expected to reduce dust pollution.

 

MCL has two high-yielding functional coalmines - Basundhara and Kulda - in Hemgir block of Sundargarh district, about 145 km from Rourkela.

 

In view of the projected dispatch of coal by MCL, the company had planned to construct four coal corridors in its coal producing areas comprising Talcher, Ib valley and Basundhara mines.

 

 

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MCL to set up 1600 MW power plant…

Coal India Ltd’s flagship company Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), will set up a 1600 MW power plant with super critical technology at its Basundhara area in Sundargarh district in joint venture.

MCL would be the only coal company in the country to venture into power generation. It intends to utilise its huge undespatchable coal reserve in Basundhara and invest its own surplus funds creatively.

A special purpose vehicle (SPV) Mahanadi Basin Power Limited has been formed last year. The Director Finance of MCL, Kulamani Biswal, has been appointed as the chairman of the Public Limited Company.

According to Biswal, the proposed coal-based power plant would be the first of its kind in the coal behemoth and is estimated to cost around `9000 crore. It will have two 800 MW units of super critical technology, Biswal added.

“The power project will be funded with debt-equity ratio of 70:30 where MCL will be holding 26 per cent of the stake. It may go up to 49 per cent. However, the management will be under a private partner,” Biswal said.

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