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Bharat Coking on coal hunt
Shashank Rao
Bharat Coking Coal Ltd, a subsidiary of Coal India Ltd, has identified new coalmines in and around the township of Jharia in Bihar. The potential exploration will augment BCCL's current production capacity from 22 million tpa to 30 million tpa. If the new mining venture is successful, the company expects to earn additional revenue of Rs 700-800 crore. The plan also envisages the revival of the old Jharia coalfield. Both the newly discovered and the existing coalfields are said to contain as many as 70 mine fires.
The total cost of the project including development of new mines, rehabilitation of displaced people and construction of new housing is a staggering Rs 5,700 crore. The project will commence in the next six months. The revival plan is expected to help BCCL make profits.
For now, rehabilitation of the affected people is the main concern for BCCL. Says Partha Bhattacharyya, Managing Director, "The plan is to rehabilitate 3,100 employees of BCCL and other residents of the affected areas has been actuated."
For instance, the Jharia Rehabilitation Development Authority is constructing 900 homes for people currently endangered by the coalmines. In phase-I of the housing works, identity cards are being provided to house owners who are to be rehabilitated. BCCL will sign an MoU with HUDCO for providing housing facilities to the entire township that may gradually have to be evacuated as and when coal is discovered. This is expected to increase project opportunities for private parties as HUDCO may distribute housing contracts.
The total project cost of Rs 5,700 crore includes Rs 2,500 crore each for quarrying and housing, and the surplus Rs 700 has been allotted for mining. Bhattacharyya adds, "Presently, allotment of funds is equal for mining and housing. But, provisional funds for mining has been arranged."
[10 October 2005]
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