Odisha's coal to power Telangana energy sector

BHUBANESWAR: Telangana's power sector received a major boost after the decks were cleared for coal extraction from Naini coal mine in Angul district of Odisha.

The development comes after Telangana deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu took up the matter with Odisha CM Mohan Majhi, here on Friday. The move assumes significance given that the BJP govt in Odisha and a Congress-led administration in Telangana recognised the necessity of cooperation and mutual understanding to achieve respective development goals, transcending political differences.

Coal extraction will be undertaken by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), a joint venture between Telangana govt and the Centre. The operation is likely to start this year. On July 4, the last big hurdle was resolved after the Odisha govt approved the transfer of 643 hectares of forest land to SCCL. On Friday, Majhi assured the Telangana deputy CM to fast-track other initiatives at its level. "During the discussion, we addressed the commencement and maintenance of work at the Naini coal mine," Mallu shared on X.

The initiatives include holding of rehabilitation and periphery development advisory committee meeting by the revenue department, building of a road corridor by the works department and tree felling by the state forest department.

SCCL allocated coal mine in '15
The target is to commence coal production by this year itself," a senior govt officer said. SCCL, which was allocated Naini coal mine at Chhendipada in August 2015, will transport coal to Telangana to provide fuel to its power plants there. SCCL is also committed towards establishing a thermal power plant in Odisha and offer power to the state at a subsidized rate. The power plant is likely to be commissioned within the next four years, govt sources said.

SCCL had got forest clearance from the Union ministry of environment and climate change in October 2022. With a production capacity of 10 million tonne per year, Naini will significantly add to SCCL's coal needs. It will initially supply coal to Singareni's 2x600 megawatt power plant in Pegadapalli.


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