Coal India gets environment ministry approval for 23 projects

Coal India (CIL) has received approval from the Ministry of Environment and Forests for 23 projects after intervention by the Cabinet Committee on Investment (CCI).

"As on December 30, 2013, out of the 20 projects pending with MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) for EC (environment clearance), 16 proposals have been granted EC," the Coal Ministry said in a note highlighting the Action Taken Report on decisions by the CCI.

Of the four projects awaiting environment approval, three belong to Western Coalfields Ltd and one to South Eastern Coalfields Ltd, units of Coal India.

In addition, two of five projects have been granted stage-II forest clearance (FC), and five of 15 proposals have been given stage-I FC.

Of the projects awaiting stage-II FC, two belong to Central Coalfields Ltd and one to South Eastern Coalfields. Two projects of Central Coalfields, four of South Eastern Coalfields and four of Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd, Coal India's consultancy firm, have yet to get stage-I FC.

The government set up the CCI to expedite the decision making process for clearance of projects in the infrastructure sector.

The Coal Ministry said four meetings, including one on December 11, have been held among officials of the two ministries and Coal India to review and expedite clearances.