Reaching out to investors, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das today claimed that there is no dearth of land for projects in the state, including those for coal mining.
"There is no problem with regard to land in Jharkhand. Yesterday, we issued land bank in which 23 lakh hectares are available," Das said, in response to a query whether there are any issues of land acquisition in the state for new investments.
He was present at the signing of an MoU among Jharkhand, JBVNL and the Power Ministry marking the state joining the UDAY scheme for revival of its power distribution company.
This comes at a time when the state-owned Coal India is eyeing 1 billion tonnes of coal production by 2020.
Das spoke of the progress in Tilaiya power project, adding that the work has started in the North Karanpura thermal power plant. He was hopeful that the project will be completed by 2017.
Jharkhand's Energy Principal Secretary S K G Rahate said the re-bidding of 3,960-MW Tilaiya ultra mega power project is expected in mid-February as 18 power procurers have decided to accept the termination notice for the plant given by Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power.
Reliance Power, in August 2009, had won rights to set up the ultra mega power project at Hazaribagh in Jharkhand after bidding a levellised tariff of Rs 1.77 per unit, but couldn't start work as the state government had not provided the required land even after more than five years.
Explaining the reasons for termination of the contract, Reliance Power had said, "There has been a delay of over five years in land acquisition by the state government for the power plant, captive coal blocks and related infrastructure."
The PPA required procurers to hand over land and other clearances by February 2010.
