To expedite the proposed Common Infrastructure Corridor (CIC) project in the Talcher-Angul area, the State Government has asked the Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) to submit a detailed project report (DPR) for the project by October this year.

A review meeting held recently under the chairmanship of Industries Secretary and IDCO CMD Vishal Kumar Dev took a decision to this effect. Earlier, the RITES had informed the State Government that the DPR would be ready by November end, sources said. 

“It has been decided that RITES should expedite the activities and submit the DPR by October end,” said a letter of IDCO. It also revealed that the Angul district Collector has received objections from people of all 13 villages for land acquisition for the 143-km-long CIC, which would have a capacity of handling 138 MT of coal per annum.

IDCO, the nodal agency for the project, would conduct a socio-economic survey in the area soon, said the letter.

The coal corridor is scheduled to cater to requirements of all the blocks in the Talcher coalfields area. The Government has formed a core committee, headed by Steel and Mines Secretary in order to expedite the project.

While RITES would prepare the DPR, SBI Capital Markets limited, which was asked to prepare the financial viability of the project and carry out the debt syndication, has already begun discussions with Ministry of Railways for preparation of the draft concession agreement of the NGR model.

As many as 23 steel plants, 22 power projects and 10 other industries would benefit from the proposed coal corridor. The proposed project, which requires 1,800 acres of land in the initial stage, would pass through rail heads like Jharpada, Talcher, Chhendipada, Kaniha and Budhapanka.

The State Government has accorded administrative approval for acquisition of 834.680 acres land for the Rs 8,000-crore proposed project. The land comprises 558.306 acres private land and 276.374 acres Government land.