NTPC pitches for freeing coal block from 'No Go' list

NTPC Ltd, the country’s largest power generator, has argued for removal of its Dulanga coal block in Orissa from the list of areas barred for mining by the Union environment and forests ministry under its recent ‘No Go’ classification.

“Only one of the coal blocks allotted to us has gone into the No Go area. We have taken it up with the ministry,” said chairman and managing director Arup Roy Chowdhury. “We’re hopeful we’ll get the block back.”

Though the categorisation of areas a ‘Go and ‘No Go’ is indicative, not absolute, it has miffed power project developers, as many existing and upcoming mines are in the areas barred for mining. Coal blocks with reserves exceeding 600 million tonnes have been covered by the No Go criterion.

The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) is currently considering a serious proposal to dilute this policy, to allow important infrastructure projects to go ahead.