OPGC urges state to move Centre for coal block clearance

State govt shall also explore feasibility to cancel a few alloted blocks at 5-6 km gap for leaving a sufficient width of corridor

Worried over the pending Stage-II forest clearance for Manoharpur coal block linked to its 1320 Mw expansion at its Banharpalli plant near Jharsuguda, Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) has urged the state government to pursue the matter with the Centre.

The Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) had granted Stage-I forest clearance for the block and the state government had submitted compliance to the ministry for grant of Stage-II forest clearance.

Later, the ministry had sought clarification on two points raised by the state government. First, the state government stated that considering the possible longitudinal fragmentation of the existing virgin forest habitat by way of linear allotment of coal blocks, the state government shall ensure not to allot the link up block between Dulanga and Madhupur blocks.

Second, the state government shall also explore feasibility to cancel a few alloted blocks at 5-6 km gap for leaving a sufficient width of corridor for movement of elephant and other animals.

The action was pending with the state steel & mines department.

“OPGC has received an explanation notice from the Ministry of Coal (MoC) for slow progress in developing the coal block, This is an important permit for coal block development and notice to permit (NTP) for BTG (boiler-turbine-generator) and balance of power (BoP) have been issued. At this point of time, approval of Stage-II by MoEF is highly necessary, as progress of other related works are getting delayed”, OPGC's managing director Sankaran Subramaniam wrote to state energy secretary P K Jena.

“Further, it is to inform that since allocation/cancellation of any coal block is a subject matter of MoC, the ministry in consultation with MoEF may take an appropriate decision in this regard. Hence, it is requested to kindly take up the matter with the department of steel & mines for issuing a suitable letter to MoC”, the letter added.

OPGC, 51:49 joint venture between the Odisha government and US-based AES Corporation, has started construction on its expansion wherein it will add two 660 Mw super critical plants. Presently, OPGC, the only state owned thermal power producer, is running 420 Mw (2x210) plant at Banharpalli.

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.