Odisha Mining Corp's coal mine foray stumbles on lack of evacuation infra

Lack of clarity on overburden dumping area use has also impeded progress of the commercial coal mine

State-controlled Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC)'s plans to start commercial mining from its allocated Baitarani West coal block has run into hurdles.

The lack of coal evacuation infrastructure and the prevailing cloud on overburden dumping norms have constrained OMC's plans.

“For us, the evacuation of coal is a vexatious issue. Though Mahanadi Coal Railway Ltd (MCRL) has been formed for this purpose, not much ground has been covered. Lack of coal evacuation facilities has also held back our plans to acquire land. As per our estimates, land acquisition costs would amount to Rs 1,500-2,000 crore. OMC is ready to bear the expenses from