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Coal block cry for state PSU

Chief minister Naveen Patnaik has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to allot the Baitarani East Coal block in favour of Odisha Thermal Power Corporation Limited (OTPCL), a joint venture of two state government undertakings that is setting up a 3,200 megawatt (MW) coal based super critical thermal power plant near Kamakhyanagar in Dhenkanal district.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, Naveen said that in the past Tentuloi coal block had been allocated to the OTPCL that had obtained all statutory clearances, except the one related to environment, for the project.

However, the chief minister noted that Tentuloi coal block was allotted to the OTPCL, as no other alternative coal block was available at that point of time.

Pointing out that the cost of extracting coal from Tentuloi deep cast mine would have been prohibitively high, Naveen in his letter said that the Centre had been requested several times for the cancellation of this coal block.

“I had requested to allot Chhendipada and Chhendipada II coal block in lieu of Tentuloi coal block to OTPCL. But no coal block has been allocated in favour of OTPCL so far,” the chief minister wrote. He pointed out that allocation of a suitable coal block to the company had become imperative to ensure the availability of power to the people at a low cost.

“In this connection I would like to bring to your kind notice that Baitarani East Coal Mine having a tentative reserve of about 600 MT of coal has been allocated to MCL but geographically it is situated far away from the command area of operation of MCL. It will be easier on the part of the state PSU to develop this coal mine as it is bordering another coal mine, i.e. Baitarani West Coal mine recently allocated to the state government,” said Naveen urging the Prime Minister to consider allotting the Baitarani East Coal block in favour of the OTPCL.

The chief minister also suggested that the Centre could alternatively also consider allocating Karadabahal and Brahmanibil coal blocks, which are also located nearby and have adequate reserves for the project, to the joint venture company.

“This will go a long way in ensuring the energy security of the state and attainment of the goal envisioned by both the state government and government of India providing 24X7 power for all,” the letter said.

source: http://www.telegraphindia.com