NLC to expand Mine-1 A capacity with an outlay of Rs 1,453.3 cr

Company also expects to replace 600 MW TPS-I with new 1,000 MW plant by 2015-16

Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) to expand its Mine-1 A capacity to 7 MTPA from the current 3 MTPA at an outlay of Rs 1,453.3 crore. The company also expects to replace its over 50 year old 600 MW TPS-I at Neyveli, which is in operation since 1961, with a MW New Neyveli Thermal Power Station (NNTPS) in 2015-16.

Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited, (NLC) a Navratna Company of Government of India, is engaged in exploitation of the Lignite deposits.

According to documents with Ministry of Environment the company project cost to expand Mine-1 A estimated to be around Rs 1,453.3 crore. The proposed Expansion of Mine-IA is to extract lignite at the rate of 7 MTPA. The Mine is located at Cuddalore, Tamil Nadu.

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) has considered the proposal in its 9th Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) and recommended for granting TOR wit h the specific ToR i.e.

Approval for diversion of rivers and nallahs be obtained from State Flood and Irrigation Dept in addition to generic TORs for an opencast coalmine project and with general ToRs for preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report an d Environment Management Plan (EMP) in respect of the project.

The company also said that the 1000 MW New Neyveli Thermal Power Station (NNTPS) is expected to replace the current 600 MW TPS-I plant at Neyveli by 2015-16. The existing plant is over 50 year old 600 MW TPS-I at Neyveli, which is in operation since 1961.

It may be noted, Environmental Clearance for the project was obtained in 2010 and thereafter Government of India sanctioned NNTPS in June, 2011 at a cost of Rs 5,907.11 crore.