Coal news and updates

Coal exploration projects pending Green nod pile up

India Coal Market Watch

 November 26: Altogether, 81 coal exploration projects in the country are awaiting forestry clearance (FC) as of November 2015 and the number is growing by the day, a senior official of the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute (CMPDI) told ICMW.

 “Altogether 81 cases are pending as of November. The number is increasing as we are making applications for additional blocks but are not getting clearance for old applications,” said the official.

 According to data available with ICMW, the number of CMPDI exploration projects pending FC stood at 72 in November 2014.

 “In the coming years, we will need to take up a large number of new blocks. But what will be the situation like if the clearance hurdle remains as it is now?” he asked.

 While stating that the Union government is very proactive on expediting the projects, he said that the matter is getting stuck at the state level.

 “Before 2006, there was no Green hurdle for us. If such a policy is brought back, our job will be made much easier and the country will benefit,” he added.