Hyderabad: Instructions given to start Naini coal block

Hyderabad: Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka on Wednesday directed officials to take steps to start the Naini coal block allotted to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Odisha within four months. The Deputy Chief Minister, who held a review meeting with senior officials of the Energy Department and Singareni on the Naini coal block issue at the Secretariat, said that since Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi has assured the Telangana government of all possible assistance to start the Naini coal block, the officials should take initiatives to obtain all necessary approvals and permissions and start operations at the earliest.

Keeping in view the fact that the Naini coal block has already received all the permits and the Odisha Chief Minister has agreed to the census of trees in 783.27 hectares of forest land transferred to Singareni by the State Forest Department and subsequent handing over of the land, he said Singareni should take initiatives to complete these works by establishing regular contact with the State Forest Department. He also suggested the Singareni management to appoint a special officer to oversee the works of Naini coal block. The Energy Minister asked the Roads and Buildings Department to take initiative to complete the work of widening and strengthening the existing road from Jarapada to Chendipada area where the coal block is located. He asked the Energy Department officials to take steps to lay a high tension line connecting the Naini coal block. “The officials should review the works on a daily basis so that coal production can be started as soon as possible,” he said. Energy Secretary Ronald Rose, Singareni CMD N Balaram, Special Secretary Krishna Bhaskar, Energy Department OSD Surendra Reddy and other senior officials were present on the occasion.