MoEF panel recommends forest nod for OPGC coal blocks.

The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) under the Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) has recommended grant of Stage-II forest clearance in respect of Manoharpur and dip side of Manoharpur coal blocks allotted to state owned Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC).

'The matter of Stage-II forest clearance for the coal mine was placed before the FAC on May 30, 2014. The panel has already recommended the case to the MoEF for approval', said a senior state government official.

The two coal blocks were allocated to OPGC to pursue its expansion plan that would add two super critical units, each of 660 MW capacity, at its Ib valley power station near Jharsuguda.

OPGC runs a 420 MW (2x210) plant at the station now. The expansion plan is being taken up at a cost of Rs. 11,547 crore which also includes cost of other components like coal block development and dedicated rail corridor.

BS