Joshi says coal gasification is of utmost priority with latest technology
Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi has announced Rs.12,500 crore investment in the coal sector, adding that 35 First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects will be completed on priority basis while private investors and technology are being brought in for coal gasification.
Inaugurating two projects virtually of Dhoptala Open Cast Mine and foundation stone laying for First Mile Connectivity project at Chandrapur in Maharashtra under the Western Coalfields Ltd, Joshi assured that his Ministry is giving utmost priority to coal gasification projects and efforts are underway to bring in private sector miners and latest technology for coal gasification with focus on Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Combined investment in the two projects, initiated on 29 Mar 2022, comes to Rs.1,190 crore.
Dhoptala Opencast Mine of Ballarpur Area will have a capacity of 2.50 million ton coal per year and involves a cost of Rs.720.87 crore. The open cast mine having a reserve of 53.11 MT coal will be on 1,257.46-ha.
The first mile connectivity project of Wani Area will have capacity of eight million ton per year and involves investment of Rs.471 crore for different segments of it. Some of the advantages of this particular projects includes average reduction in coal road transportation by over 12-km, substantial reduction in carbon and CO2 emission and diesel consumption over conventional loading by tipper/pay loader.
Minister of State for Coal Raosaheb Patil Danve has also called upon Coal India Ltd and Western Coalfields Ltd to attain the set targets of coal production for this financial year and smooth supply to the power sector. fiinews.com
