COAL PROJECTS

On being conferred the ‘Maharatna’ status, Coal India Limited (CIL) is now empowered to sanction/approve and implement all its projects including  those which are beyond the delegated powers of the Boards of its subsidiaries.  Being conferred the status of  “Mini Ratna” Board of Directors of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Western coalfields Limited (WCL), South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) are empowered to approve projects costing up to Rs.500 crores. The Board of Directors of Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) is empowered to approve projects  costing  up to Rs.300 crore as the company comes under the Mini Ratna category-II. The Board of Directors of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) can approve coal projects up to Rs.20 crores. Board of Directors of Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is also empowered to approve coal projects up to Rs. 500 crores. Projects of SCCL costing above Rs.500 crores are approved by the Govt. through EFC/PIB and CCEA. Environmental clearance is mandatory before the project proposal is posed to Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs for approval.   Being conferred the  Navratna status  with delegated powers to set up projects upto Rs.500 crore.

Coal projects are monitored in the coal companies at colliery level, area level and HQ level. Remedial actions, wherever warranted, are taken. Quarterly Project Monitoring Reprots of projects costing Rs. 20 crore and above are submitted by all companies to this Ministry as well as Ministry of Programme Implementation.  In the Ministry of Coal, major coal projects costing more than Rs.500 crores  and  3 MTY are monitored at the level of Secretary (Coal) on quarterly basis.  In this meeting representative from Planning Commission, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation and MoEF also participate. Such meetings are taken on the basis of inputs furnished by the companies indicating various problems encountered by them in implementation of projects under their jurisdiction and command. Based on the decision taken in the review meetings, appropriate follow up action is taken both in the Ministry of Coal and by the coal companies concerned. This apart, whenever coal companies approach the Ministry for extending Governmental support for resolution of any pending issues affecting implementation of coal projects, the matter is taken up by the Ministry at the appropriate level with the concerned authorities.


      COAL AND LIGNITE PROJECTS

  1. During the period from 01.04.2010 to 31.05.2011, no project pertaining to CIL were sanctioned by    Government.

 

  1. Sanction order in respect Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s Project for installation of 1000 MW Lignite based Thermal Power Project (2X500 MW) at Neyveli, Cuddalore District, Tamil Nadu was issued on 9.6.2011.
  1. List of new projects / RCE/ RPR sanctioned by Coal India limited and its subsidiary companies under their delegated powers from 01.04.10 to 31.12.10 are given as under:

 

   A.    Expansion project sanctioned by Coal India Ltd from 1/4/2010 to 31/12/2010

Sl.

Projects

Sub

Date of Approval

Sanc. Capacity
(Mty)

Sanc. Capital
(Rs. Crs)

1.

Gevra Expn. OC

SECL

31.05.10

10.00 (Incr)

1008.12 (Incr)

    B    (i)   New project sanctioned by coal companies from 1/4/2010 to 31/12/2010

Sl.

Projects

Sub

Date of Approval

Sanc. Capacity
(Mty)

Sanc. Capital
(Rs. Crs)

1.

Hansdiha Patch II (Sch) OC

ECL

19.05.10

1.50

16.57

2

Kistaram OCP

SCCL

01.11.2010

2.00

242.29

 
     (ii)    No RCE / RPR has been sanctioned by coal companies from 1/4/2010 to 31/12/2010

          The number of mining projects of CIL and SCCL costing Rs. 2 crores and above   sanctioned since nationalization till 31.12.2010 is as under:-

Sub

Projects costing

Sanc. Capital
(Rs. Crs.)*

Sanc.
Capacity
(Mty) *

More than Rs. 100 Crs

Rs.20 to 100 Crs

Rs.2 to 20 Crs.

Total

ECL

13

17

93

123

5587.63

70.58

BCCL

04

09

90

103

2123.68

43.09

CCL

19

22

63

104

5998.00

118.25

NCL

14

09

03

26

8695.01

75.60

WCL

07

62

79

148

5358.25

79.65

SECL

17

59

73

149

10897.00

154.43

MCL

20

23

17

60

5867.10

198.63

NEC

00

04

00

04

    172.69

1.20

CIL

94

205

418

717

 44699.36

741.43

SCCL

15

58

67

140

   8595.68

113.96

(*Excluding Capacity & Capital of Merged & Completed-Merged projects)

             As on 31.12.2010, out of total 717 mining projects in CIL, costing Rs. 2 Crores & above, 423 projects stand completed (including projects which are merged, completed and merged & where coal reserves have since been exhausted) and 161 projects are under various stages of implementation. Out of 161 on-going projects, 120 are on schedule and 41 are delayed. Remaining 133 projects have either been shelved or withdrawn.  In Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) out of total 140 mining projects, costing Rs.2 crores and above, 55 projects are closed/dropped/converted/merged/foreclosed.  The details of balance 85 projects are as under:-

Company

Total No. of Projects

Number of completed projects

 

On schedule

Delayed

On hold

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SCCL

85

59

10

12

4

26

             Status of projects monitored at the Government level:

           At the Government level, projects, costing Rs. 20 crores & above are being monitored.   As on 31.12.2010, 131 mining and 12 non-mining ongoing projects, costing Rs. 20 crores & above, are under implementation in CIL,  out of which, 25 mining projects and 3 non-mining projects are delayed.  In SCCL out of total 34 projects, 12 projects (10 Mining and 2 non-mining) are on schedule, 17 projects (12 Mining and 5 non-mining) are delayed, and 5 projects (4 mining and 1 non-mining) are kept on hold.   In NLC out of total 3 projects, 1 project is on schedule and 2 projects are delayed.  Summarized position of the projects are as follows.
 

Type

No of
Projects

Sanctioned Capital
(Rs. Crs)

Ultimate Capacity (Mty)

Projects on Schedule

Projects Delayed

Project
On hold

CIL

143

30050.21

406.32

115

28

-

SCCL

34

10222.37

39.753

12

17

5

NLC

3

8989.10

1750 MW

01

2

-

         Main reasons for slippage in the implementation of projects:

  1. Delay in acquisition of land and associated problems of rehabilitation.
  2. Delay in diversion of forest land.
  3. Delay due to adverse geo-mining condition.
  4. Other misc. problems such as delay or discontinuance of work by contractor, non participation in tender, DGMS permissions.
  5. Delay in  contract management issues.

 

          Steps taken to improve project implementation:

           Land acquisition and rehabilitation:

  1. Vigorous follow up action with concerned State Govt. Officials is being taken to expedite land acquisition proceedings.
  2. Regular meetings with State Authorities viz. Land Revenue Commissioner, LR Secretary, Chief Secretary and Committees constituted by respective State Govts are held to sort out acute problems.
  3. Forest officials are contacted on regular basis at District and Tehsildar level to fulfill the requirement & queries. Periodical contacts are done with the Regional Office & Main office of MoEF for expeditious clearance of the forestry proposals.

Discussions held   with land owners / villagers for selection of rehabilitation site and they are persuaded to accept the rehabilitation benefits and to shift to the rehabilitation site

 

Geo-mining constraints:

      Sophisticated geological and geo-physical exploration techniques have been introduced for advance & accurate forecasting of geo-mining condition.

                 Project Management: 

  • Director (Projects & Planning) posted in each company with overall responsibility of implementation of projects.
  • Comprehensive guidelines for project formulation and monitoring issued by the Govt.
  • The system of monitoring at various levels has been standardized.

 

  • Project monitoring is done on monthly basis or at shorter intervals at the area level by General Manager/Chief General Managers and at regular intervals by Director (Projects) and CMDs at corporate level.
  • Mandatory review of the projects is carried out at company level when the expenditure of the project exceeds 50% of the sanctioned capital.

 

  • Projects costing Rs.100 crores & above are also reviewed in CIL Board by exception.
  • Progress reports in respect of projects costing Rs.150 crores & above are also submitted to Department of Programme Implementation regularly.

 

  • Department of Programme Implementation regularly monitors the implementation of projects costing 20 crores and above.
  • Quarterly review in the administrative Ministry/Department at the level of Secretary is taken for major projects.

 

               Assistance required in Project Implementation:

  • State Govt. may also share the responsibility for acquisition of land along with Coal Companies. Delivery of possession of land by the State Govts. be ensured after the requisite fund is deposited with State Govt, so as to avoid any delay in implementation of projects.

 

  • Now-a-days, land acquisition is becoming very difficult due to competitive scenario, arising out of acquisition of land by several other agencies in the near-by areas of coal projects of CIL. Different agencies of other sectors as well as captive coal mine owners, by direct negotiation with the land owners, are offering much higher rate of land compensation compared to the rate of compensation offered by CIL Coal Companies, as per prevailing rates calculated as per provisions of CBA Act & LA Act. It is suggested that a comprehensive view may be taken at the Government level to device the methodology for fixing rate of compensation of land taking into account the existing rates in the surrounding areas.
    • Responsibility for acquisition of forest land should be restricted to payment of   Net Present Value charges etc. only by the Coal Companies. The time now required for processing the proposal may be reduced by restricting the movements of file in different channels.
    • For Prospecting, up to 20 boreholes per sq. Km be exempted from taking permission under F(C) Act, 1980.
    • Record of Rights be periodically corrected / reconciled to avoid complications in determining ownership, resulting delay in issuance of NOC / Forestry Clearance.
    • Land recorded as Revenue land (forest/jungle) be clearly notified as non-forest or forest land to avoid land ownership dispute between the Revenue authority and the Forest Department.
    • Online submission & processing of the application.
    • Issuance of NOC by District Administration in a time bound manner.
    • Standard Format for EIA / EMP be published for avoiding time delay in issuance of TOR.
    • Public Consultation be made in a time bound schedule.
    • Violation should not be attracted as long as the aggregate coal production from a coalfield does not exceed the permissible capacity under the EC for all operating mines.
    • Representation of an official from MoC be again reinstated in the Environment Advisory Committee (EAC).

     

    LIGNITE PROJECTS UNDER CONSTRUCTION / IMPLEMENTATION


    Government of India sanctioned the expansion of Mine-II from 10.5 MTPA to 15.0   MTPA of lignite linked to TPS-II Expansion with 2 Units of 250 MW each on 18th October 2004 at a capital cost of  Rs. 4192.06 Crores.  The project was completed in March, 2010.

    Mine-II Expansion project was completed on 12th March 2010. The mine was dedicated to the Nation by the Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Coal & Statistics and Programme Implementation on  5th April 2010 at Neyveli.
    In respect of TPS-II Expansion project, Erection of Boilers, Electrostatic Precipitators and Turbo Generators are in Progress. Hydro test for Unit-I & II was completed on 27.06.09 and 30.07.2010 respectively. Chimney and Cooling Towers–I&II completed on 15.01.2010. Commissioning of circulatory water system including Fire Hydrant System was achieved on 09.11.2010. Erection works in Lignite handling system; DM Water treatment plant and Ash handling system are in progress. As the progress of Main plant package contractor M/s BHEL is not adequate to fulfill the commitment, there is likely to be a delay of about 28 months in the commissioning of the units. The progress of works by M/s BHEL, both in supply of materials and erection works at site are being taken up with the top management of M/s. BHEL on periodical basis, besides appraising the Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Power, Ministry of Heavy Industries and also CEA so as to avoid further delay and expedite the erection works for early commissioning of the units. It is now anticipated that Unit-1 will be commissioned in March 2011 and Unit-2 in October 2011.

    Government of India sanctioned Barsingsar Lignite Mine Project of 2.1 MTPA linked to the Barsingsar Power Project of 2 units of 125 MW each on  15th December 2004 at a cost of Rs. 1368.25 Crores, at Rajasthan. 

    In respect of Barsingsar Mines Project, Both overburden and lignite production has been outsourced.  The Mine Project was completed in June 2010.

    In respect of Barsingsar Thermal Power Project, First unit was synchronized on 27/10/2009 and dedicated to the Nation by Hon’ble Minister of State for Coal on 05th June 2010 and Unit-II was also synchronized on 5th June 2010.

    However, teething problems being faced in both the units in the process of stabilization are attended to by the contractor M/s. BHEL. Bunker lining modification has been completed and both the units are expected to be commissioned before March  2011 .

              

    PROJECTED TARGETS FOR THE PERIOD FROM JANUARY TO MARCH 2011
       A. (i)       New / Expn. / Extn. Projects likely to be sanctioned by Coal India Ltd from January to March,2011


    SL. No

    Name of the Projects

    Company

    Est. Capacity
     (Mty)

    Est. Capital Cost (Rs. Crores)

    1

    Sonepur Bazari Comb. OCP

    ECL

    8.00

    1587.84

    2

    Development of Muraidih UG Mine

    BCCL

    2.00

    339.875

    3

    Setting up of 5 Mty washery for washing NLW coking coal near existing Patherdih Washery

    BCCL

    5.00

    169.6416

    4

    Khadia Expansion OC

    NCL

    6.00 (incr.)

    1488.57

    5

    Tipong OC

    NEC

    1.00

    230.27

    6

    PQ Block OC

    NEC

    0.15

    26.70

        A. (ii)         New / Expn. / Extn. Projects likely to be sanctioned by Subsidiary Coal Companies from January to March,2011


    SL. No

    Name of the Projects

    Company

    Est. Capacity
     (Mty)

    Est. Capital Cost (Rs.  Crores)

    1

    Samleswari OC Expn. (Ph-IV)

    MCL

    5.00

    27.82

    2

    Belpahar OCP Expn (Ph-II)

    MCL

    4.50

    14.41

    3

    New Majri Sector-I/II A OC

    WCL

    1.00

    50.39

                  B. (i) RCE / RPR likely to be sanctioned by Coal India Ltd from January to March,2011


    SL. No

    Name of the Projects

    Company

    Capacity
     (Mty)

    Capital Cost (Rs. Crores)

    1

    RCE for Introduction of Continuous Miner at Kottadih UG (Ph-I)

    ECL

    0.51

    122.35

    2

    Rapid Loading System with SILO near Maheshpur Siding

    BCCL

    5.00

    140.4696

    3

    Block-B OCP

    NCL

    3.50

    535.10

       B. (ii) RCE / RPR likely to be sanctioned by Subsidiary Coal Companies from January to
                March,2011


    SL. No

    Name of the Projects

    Company

    Capacity  (Mty)

    Capital Cost (Rs. Crores)

    1

    HBI Augmentation UG

    MCL

    1.00

    104.37

    2

    Bagdeva UG

    SECL

    0.75

    82.00

    3

    Jhilmili UG

    SECL

    0.50

    40.00

    4

    RPR of Amalgamted Gondegaon-Ghatrohan OC

    WCL

    2.00

    73.88