Power, coal ministries list 10 blocks for ‘urgent’ clearance

With no solution in sight for the problem created by the “no go” categorisation of a large area under the nine major coal fields of the country, the ministry of power and ministry of coal are getting prudent in identifying 10 major coal blocks that immediately needs environment clearance.

The strategy is a shift in stance keeping in mind the tough stance taken by the ministry of environment and forest (MoEF) over the issue of giving environment clearance to the coal blocks that come under the “no go” category.

“There are about 155 coal blocks in the country that fall under the “no go” area. But there are about 10 coal blocks that were allotted for power projects where substantial investment has been made.

At least there the MoEF can do something, in order to give respite to the investors,” said a senior power ministry official.

Earlier, Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia had also expressed his concern over the MoEF decision to bar coal mining activity in the no-go area of the nine coal fields that have a potential of 660 million tonnes of production. The anticipated gap for power grade coal is estimated to be around 60 mt for 2010-2011. a major chunk of this shortage is due to the non availability of environment and forest clearance.

According to Planning Commission data, the country will lose potential of producing 1,43,000 mw of power if the MoEF does not allow mining in the “no go” area.

“The resolution of the issue of “no go” zone is likely to take some more time. But we need urgent clearance for some of the coal mines so that building up those power plants does not become in viable for the companies. It would be a complete waste of money,” added the official.

Some coal blocks allotted to companies like Hindustan Zinc, Ultra Tech and Essar, along with a few blocks allocated for upcoming ultra-mega power projects, fall in the “no go” zones.