WCL to open up 20 new coal mines at an expenditure of Rs 13,000 cr: Joshi

• The 20 new mines will generate direct employment for 14,000 people, the Coal Minister said

• He also informed about the planned coal gasification project in Chandrapur and said that work would start after a study of the project report

New Delhi: Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on Saturday that WCL (Western Coalfields Limited) has plans to open up 20 new coal mines at a total capital expenditure of Rs 13,000 crore which will generate direct employment for 14,000 people. He praised the efforts of Team WCL in opening three new coal mines amid the Corona pandemic and said that it will not only increase the availability of coal but also strengthen the efforts of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restrict the import of coal. While talking about environment conservation, Joshi appreciated the endeavour of WCL in carrying out 10 crore plantation on 40,000 hectares of land. He also informed about the planned coal gasification project in Chandrapur and said that work would start after a study of the project report.

Defeating Corona crisis and sticking to its "Mission 100 days" roadmap which prioritise initiatives for achieving beyond 75 MT Coal Production by FY 2023-24, WCL opened 3 Coal Mines in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra along with launch of digital initiatives in a virtual ceremony held today on Saturday, 6th June, 2020. In an online inauguration ceremony chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and presided by Joshi, Adasa UG to OC Mine in Nagpur area of Maharashtra and Sharda UG Mine in Kanhan Area and Dhankasa UG Mine in Pench Area of Madhya Pradesh was dedicated to the nation.

New WCL mines will contribute to development of Vidarbha: Gadkari

While lauding Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) for opening 20 coal mines during the last six years, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, MSME, said that the upcoming future projects of WCL will further contribute to the development of Vidarbha and creation of employment opportunities. He expressed his firm belief that these new mines would increase the availability of coal in power plants. Gadkari emphasised on quality of coal and the need for more technological interventions for it. He was addressing the virtual inauguration ceremony of three new mines of WCL as a guest of honour on Saturday. While praising WCL for its out-of-the-box initiative on segregation of sand from overburden of opencast mines, he stressed on large scale implementation of the idea in future. 

Thackeray emphasises on sustainable increase in coal production

Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray, who also attended the online ceremony, said that such a virtual programme is a great example of moving ahead in the present challenging phase of Covid-19. He emphasised on environment conservation and pollution control simultaneously with increase in coal production. Thackeray also stressed on availability of cheaper electricity for farmers and marginalised sections. He expressed his gratitude towards the Coal Minister for CIL's contribution of Rs 20 crore for Maharashtra CM Relief fund.

Opening of new coal mines will restrict coal imports: MP CM

Emphasising on the vision of "Atma Nirbhar Bharat," Chouhan said that opening of new coal mines will gradually restrict coal imports. Chouhan further said that sufficient availability of coal to power plants could be maintained with the opening of new mines in Madhya Pradesh.