National Thermal Power Corporation said that it is developing coal mines allotted to it for captive use and added that it takes 6 to 7 years to harness a mine even by international standards.

NTPC's statement comes amid reports the ministry of coal has written to the power ministry, threatening to de allocate the coal blocks allotted to NTPC citing reasons such as delay in developing those mines.

Mr RS Sharma CMD of NTPC said that "No, we are developing all the five mines allotted to us. We were awarded the first mine in 2005 and work is on in all the coal blocks allotted to us." He added that it takes about 6 to 7 years to develop a coal mine, as per international benchmark.

It may be noted that NTPC was awarded five coal mines namely Pakri Barwadih, Chatti Bariatu, Kerandari, Dulanga and Talaipalli, with a mining potential of 48 million tonnes per annum. It is also developing two coal blocks namely Brahmini and Chichropatsimal in a 50:50 JV with Coal India Limited.

(Sourced from Press Trust of India)