The 2x500 MW Madwa Thermal Power Plant (TPP) in Janjgir Champa district of Chhattisgarh had been accorded ‘bridge linkage’ by Union Coal Ministry for coal supply with 19 other thermal power plants in the country, officials informed.
Notably, Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh on March 31 this year had informed in the State Assembly that the power generation from one unit of 1000 MW under construction Madwa Thermal Power plant commenced commercial production on March 31, 2016 in Janjgir-Champa district after necessary technical checks.
On the other hand, NTPC ltd’s upcoming 2x800 MW lara thermal power plant in Raigarh district of the State had also been accorded ‘bridge linkage’ for coal.
Notably, the Union Coal Ministry had circulated Policy guidelines February 8 this year for grant of 'Bridge linkage' to specified end-use plants of Central and State Public Sector Undertakings (Both in Power as well as Non-Power sector) which have been allotted Schedule-III coal mines under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 (CM(SP) Act) and coal blocks allotted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation Act), 1957 (MMDR Act)for a period of 3 years from the date of allotment of coal mine/block.
A Standing linkage Committee (long Term) [SlC(lT)], with representatives of Ministries of Coal, Power, Railways, Steel, Shipping, Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion, NITI Aayog, Coal India limited(CIl), Singareni Collieries Company limited (SCCl), Central Mine Planning and Design Institute limited, Ranchi (CMPDIl), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), and National Thermal Power Corporation(NTPC) as its members and Additional Secretary(Coal) as its Chair.
The Committee recommends the proposals for grant of the long term linkage and bridge linkage of coal and other related matters to competent authority for approval.
Significantly, the Gare Palma mining blocks in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh will soon witness a significant amount of activity with power companies of three states now looking for mine developers to start work on their allotted coal blocks in the district.
The latest among them being Chhattisgarh State Power Generation Company ltd (CGPGCl) which is now looking to select a Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for development and operation for Gare Palma Sector-III Coal Block in Raigarh District of Chhattisgarh.
It may be recalled that power generation companies of Maharashtra and Gujarat governments have already commenced the process of selecting mine developers for the Gare Palma sector II and I coal blocks respectively in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.
Notably, the Maharashtra State Power Generation Company ltd has commenced the process for selecting an Operator for development and operation of Gare Gare Palma Coal Block II at Tamnar in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh, officials informed.
It has also commenced the process for obtaining forest clearance for Gare Gare Palma Coal Block II at Tamnar in Raigarh district of Chhattisgarh.
Notably, the South East Central Sector which includes Chhattisgarh is also set to play a key role in Central government’s ambitious coal loading and transportation plans.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed recently between Ministry of Railways and Coal India limited (CIl) which will lead to procurement of 2000 wagons (33 rakes) in the first outgo, officials stated.
The agreement which will result into speedy supply of wagons for coal loading in dedicated circuits.
Initially, the rakes will be inducted and run in the 2 main coal loading Zones of Indian Railways i.e South East Central coal sector and East Coast circuit.
These rakes will be inducted in circuits for transporting coal from MCl Talcher & IB area and SECl to Paradip/Dharma ports, Vishakhapatnam area and the power houses of Nagpur/Raipur region.
Under this strategic partnership, the wagons will be procured by Indian Railways on behalf of CIl, the maintenance of these wagons will be done by Railways at its own cost. Also, the brake vans will be provided by Railways itself.
Notably, Coal India ltd on the other hand is targetting production of 1 billion Tonnes of coal by 2020. Wagon availability will be a key factor for achieving this target by Coal India ltd. By signing of the MoU , the Railways and Coal India ltd will be entering into a strategic partnership which would ensure adequate wagon availability for meeting the transportation needs of coal produced by Coal India ltd.
The Central Government has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding each with the states of Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh for critical coal connectivity projects to improve transportation of coal, officials informed.
Agreement for World Bank loan of US $ 1100 million for Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) (Phase-2) have also been signed, they stated.
Moreover, the development of two key Rail corridors in mineral-rich Chhattisgarh is now set to expand the Railway line network by 45 per cent in the State, officials stated.