Hopeful of Unesco nod for $16 bn Adani coal project: Australia

Land issues should be resolved in 2-3 months for the USD 16 billion Adani Carmichael coal project, which is at the centre of a controversy over the green lobby apprehending danger to the Great Barrier Reef, Australian High Commissioner Patrick Suckling said today.
"We hope Unesco will not put 'in danger' tag after the government took steps to preserve and improve the natural wonder," Suckling said here.
The Australian government plans to fund USD 1.5-2 billion over the next 10 years to improve Great Barrier Reef water, officials said.
Unesco had asked Australia to submit an updated report on the state of conservation of the Reef's site spread over 565,000 km, in the wake of Adani Carmichael coal mine project.

Suckling also hoped that the Land court hurdle for the project may get resolved over the next 2-3 months, at an interactive session with MCC Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
He said Adani had all the necessary approvals and after legal hurdle was over the project could gain momentum providing energy security for 100 million for 90 years.
Adani is estimated to have pumped in USD 1.3 billion so far in the project.