The coal blocks named Meenakshi-A, Meenakshi-B and Meenakshi dip-side had been allocated for a 4,000MW ultra mega power project at Bedabahal. While the Manoharpur and Manoharpur dip-side coal blocks were awarded to Orissa Power Generation Corp. Ltd's 1,320MW project. The Dulanga block was allotted to a 1,600MW project of NTPC Ltd.
The Power Secretary P Umashankar said that this cleared the way for the Orissa ultra mega power project. The Request For Qualification for the project had been extended till August 1, 2011. He added that they will request prospective investors to come and bid as there is nothing for them to fear now.
The permissions had been refused earlier and the revised plan that involved far less damage to forest area and fewer felling of trees has now been approved. In case of the ultra mega power project diversion of forest land has been reduced by 40% and in the other two projects the figures are 26% for the NTPC project and 20% for the OGPC project. Read the full report here.
Source: by Joel Scanlon, Azomining.com.
