Govt clears 77 Coal India projects

Coal India Limited's (CIL) 77 projects having a production capacity of almost 185 million tonnes (MT), have been cleared by the government and are under different phases of completion.

"...77 projects with an ultimate capacity 184.78 Mty (million tonnes per year) have already been approved and are under various stages of implementation," Outcome Budget 2011-12 document said.

The said projects are among 142 projects identified by CIL, which are to be taken for the XI Plan Period (2007 - 2012), the document added.

The remaining 65 projects, according to the Outcome Budget 2011-12 document, having a capacity of 195 million tonnes are under different phases of approval.

"Rest 65 projects, with an ultimate capacity of 195.44 Mty are under various stages of approval/formulation," the document said.

Coal Ministry had earlier in March said that 46 projects of CIL were delayed due to various reasons, including environmental hurdles.

Of these, 11 projects of the Navratna firm are behind schedule because of the unavailability of both forestry and environmental clearances. While 14 projects of the firm have got delayed due to land acquisition, relief and rehabilitation (R&R) issues, the ministry had said.

Coal India, the ministry had said, has taken various measures to combat the issues that are delaying the projects.

It has undertaken vigorous follow up action with land acquisition officials to fast-track acquisition proceedings. It has also held regular meetings with state authorities to solve acute problems.