Mahanadi Coalfields to have its first power plant soon: Jha

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) will soon have the first power plant from the Coal sector in Sundargarh district in Odisha, the newly appointed Chairman cum Managing Director, Anil Kumar Jha, said, here today.
The 1600 MW (2x800) power plant will be first in the country in power sector and the gestation period is three years.
This commitment of power generation will be an additional one apart of achieving a target of 150 Million Tonnes of coal production during the current fiscal as my priorities, CMD designate, Jha, told reporters who is taking over his new assignment on Nov 1.
Jha said the Coal India Limited has set a target of 550MT during 2015-16 and MCL's share will be 150 MT.

To a question, Jha said the best coking coal is available in Jharia in Dhanbad but the area is thickly populated and a compete rehabilitation plan is being drafted to shift the entire population and make the area free for mining.
"Once this is done, there will be no necessity of importing coking coal in the country. Previously India had imported coal worth Rs 93,000 crore. Coking coal is used in steel industry", he added.

He lauded the concept of Union Minister for Shipping and Transport, Nitin Gadkari of coal transportation through sea and river routes to overcome the congestion of rail traffic and non-availability of dedicated freight corridor and rakes.

"If Gadkari's dream comes true, it will be a big relief to the coal industry", he added.
Jha will relinquish as Director Production with Manganese Ore India Limited (MOIL) said the the MOIL has succeeded in acquiring additional 1,200 hectares of land and made a rapid progress on all fronts right from Ore extraction, expansion of mines, equipping with latest mining technology and in Corporate Social Responsibility.