CIL set aside Rs. 16,000cr for energy generation

Making the most of its coal stockpiles, the Coal India Limited (CIL) has decided to set up a 2,000mw power plant involving an investment of Rs. 2,000 crore and has already signed memorandum of understanding with NTPC, the thermal energy generating giant  in this connection.

According to sources, the company currently has stockpiles of roughly 53 million tons  and a 500mw power plant normally consumes 2.5 mt of coal per annum in India. The coal giant produces about 500 mt of coal annually, which falls short of demand by about 50 million tons per annum but currently it is facing problem of the rolling stock to carry supplies to utilities due to limited availability of railway wagons to transport dry fuel from ports and the fact is said to be a major constraint for meeting the demand supply gap through imports.  In view of this, the company has decided to use its stockpiles in energy generation.

That apart, CIL has also launched a massive rehabilitation plans worth Rs. 10,000 crore to resettle over 80,000 families likely to be displaced in Jharia areas of Dhanbad district of Jharkhand to take possession of about 13 billion tons of high grade coal lying beneath the surface.  The plan, which would be completed in two phases over the next 10 years, is said to be the single largest rehabilitation programs in the world.  If things move as per plans it is confident to complete resettlement process through patience and continuous dialogue, said Managing Director Partha S Bhattacharya.