Efforts to increase the production and measures to explore renewable resources of energy in a more efficient manner would help in managing the need of power in current scenario and in future in Madhya Pradesh, said Union Minister of State for Power and Coal Piyush Goyal, while addressing a Press conference on achievements of 100 days of BJP Government at the Centre.
Coal based power generation was increased by 21 per cent in the 100 days which is significant change.He assured that Vindanchayal Power plant and Sanjay Gandhi Thermal power plant would be supplied with 96 per cent of their requirement. Coal supply to the State has been adequate but to meet the demands production was raised due to which the stocks have depleted speedily.
He said that for maintaining adequate quantities and timely supply of coal, Coal India limited would spend Rs 5,000 crore to purchase 250 rail rakes. Three critical railway lines in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha which would potentially yield 60 million tons per annum by 2017-18 and up to 200 million tons by 2021-22 would be worked out.
He said the government will ensure quick action after the Supreme Court’s decision on illegal coal mine allocation to get the process rolling and enhance coal output to 1 billion tones by 2019.Government will ensure speeding up environment clearances of the coal mining projects and at the same time take steps to protect the environment. Government has invested Rs7,000 crore in power grid security in states, he added.
Integrated Power Development Scheme for strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution in Urban area including 100 percent metering and underground cabling with an expected investment of Rs32,600 crore would be done.
Being optimist about the power situation Goyal said that government is committed to bring about a transformative change in the power sector and ensure affordable round the clock power for all homes, industrial and commercial establishments and adequate power for agriculture.