MoEF panel recommends forest nod for OPGC coal blocks

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has recommended grant of Stage-II forest clearance in respect of Manoharpur and dip side of Manoharpur coal blocks allotted to state owned Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC).

"The matter of Stage-II forest clearance for the coal mine was placed before the FAC on May 30, 2014. The panel has already recommended the case to the MoEF for approval", said a senior state government official.

The two coal blocks were allocated to OPGC to pursue its expansion plan that would add two super critical units, each of 660 Mw capacity, at its Ib valley power station near Jharsuguda.

OPGC runs a 420 Mw (2x210) plant at the station now. The expansion plan is being taken up at a cost of Rs 11,547 crore which also includes cost of other components like coal block development and dedicated rail corridor.

Land acquisition for the coal mine has gained momentum. Out of 1190.60 acres government land applied by OPGC, 1041.76 acres has been sanctioned. Similarly, 825.72 acres of 1362.35 acres of private land has been sanctioned for the coal mine development.

OPGC has already started work on its capacity upgradation. To fund the expansion, the company has tied up for a loan of Rs 8660 crore from Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and Rural Electrification (REC) and executed the necessary agreement with the two Central PSUs.

The balance funding is to be borne proportionately by the Odisha government and AES which hold 51 per cent and 49 per cent stake respectively in the company.

Power equipment major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL) has bagged Rs 4051 crore contract for supply and erection of the main plant for 1320 Mw capacity.

The contract is for supply of the main plant consisting of boiler, turbine and generator (BTG) at an all-inclusive firm price of Rs 3748.94 crore and erection of the main plant at Rs 302.06 crore.

The Balance of Plant (BoP) contract valued at Rs 1573 crore was bagged by BGR Energy Systems. The contract includes supply, erection and commissioning of the BoP for additional generation capacity.