Odisha taking steps to expedite coal block development: Secy

The Odisha government has taken steps to expedite activities for development of coal blocks in the state, Union Coal Secretary Anil Swarup said today.
Swarup said this after reviewing progress of the development of the coal blocks in Odisha at a meeting attended by Chief Secretary G C Pati and other senior officers.
"A total of 12 coal mine projects and one railway project from Jharsuguda to Barapali were reviewed in the meeting," an official said.
Replying a question Swarup said, "The government of Odisha has taken intensive steps to expedite the activities for development of the coal blocks."
Milestone of the work along with timeline has been fixed against each coal mine, Swarup said adding that it has been targeted to increase the total coal production from present level of 500 million tons to 1000 million tons.

Accordingly, he said, it has been targeted to enhance the coal production of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) from present level of 125 million tons to 250 million tons by 2020.

He further said that it has been decided to form two SPVs for laying of railway lines for evacuation of coal from Talcher Coal Block and Ib Valley Coal Block.
The state government has already formed one SPV for construction of railway lines in Talcher Coal Block area.
Swarup said, such efforts of the state government will set an example for other States.
It has been decided in the meeting that SPVs will be formed involving MCL, Indian Railways and the Government of Odisha.