Coal min contests GoM view, wants NTPC project shifted
The coal ministry has contested the suggestion made by a group of ministers (GoM) to allow NTPC to set up a 1,980-MW power plant in the coal-bearing area of North Karanpura in Jharkhand. Moving a Cabinet note, it has sought directions to the PSU to halt work on the project and move to a non-coal-bearing area in the state. The ministry has also approached the PMO for necessary directions.
NTPC had proposed to set up a super thermal power project, using three units of 660-MW (3*660 MW) super-critical technology, near Tandwa town in Jharkhand, way back in 1999. The foundation stone for the project was laid during AB Vajpayee’s regime at the Centre.
Ever since, NTPC and Coal India (CIL) have been engaged in a turf war over the project, with the latter insisting that the power project be moved from its current location as it sits on coal reserves of about 6 billion tonne — enough to meet lifetime coal requirements of about 50,000 MW of power projects.
The coal ministry has approached the cabinet committee of infrastructure (CCI) to direct the ministry of power and NTPC to relocate the plant to Kanhakala village, 15 km northeast of Chatra in Jharkhand. Justifying the proposal, the ministry has said it would allow CIL to immediately start coal mining in the area to meet the growing fuel demands of the power sector.
The coal ministry, in
