It is reported that Coal India expansion schemes are likely to take longer than expected in Chhattisgarh as the state has not submitted its plan as to how it will minimize environmental damage due to mining activities.

According to a paper presented by the Ministry of Forest and Environment before Group of Ministers on Coal said "Korba will take longer because state has not submitted any remediation plan."

However, the company expansion plans in Orissa have got a boost with the Ministry of Environment and Forests lifting the ban on Angul Talcher area in Orissa and assuring the GoM to lift the moratorium in five more coalfields Chandrapur, Singrauli, Jharia, IB Valley and Raniganj.

It said these coalfields fall under the Comprehensive Environment Pollution Index, adding there would be delays for Korba in Chhattisgarh.

CEPI captures the various health dimensions of the environment and acts as a warning tool to facilitate early intervention.

Coal India subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Limited has two expansion projects in Korba Gevra and Manikpur that are awaiting environmental clearances since 2009.

While Gevra project entails expanding capacity to 43.75 million tonne from 35 million tonnes and there are plans to double Manikpur capacity to 5 million tonnes.

Korba coalfield has total coal reserves of 10,115.21 MT.

(Sourced from Business Standard)