India's PFC to Rope in Consultant for Coal Blocks Linked to Odisha Ultra Mega Power Project

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources India (Delhi, India)--With an aim to hasten the development of three coal blocks earmarked for the 4,000-megawatt (MW) Bedabahal Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) in the state of Odisha, PFC Consulting Limited (PFCCL) (New Delhi), a subsidiary of state-owned Power Finance Corporation Limited (PFC) (BSE: 532810) (New Delhi), is likely to soon select a consultant for the development of the integrated coal mining project. PFCCL has invited bids from interested consulting firms for this purpose.

India's coal ministry has allocated Meenakshi, Meenakshi-B and Dip Side of Meenakshi coal blocks to meet an estimated coal requirement of around 20 Million Tons Per Annum (MTA) for the power plant. The plant will be built at Bedabahal in the Sundargarh district of western Odisha and the coal blocks are also located in the IB Valley coalfield area in the Jharsuguda district of the state.

The three coal blocks have a combined reserve of 838 Millio Ton (MT), with Dip Side of Meenakshi block having the highest deposit estimate to the tune of 299 MT, followed by Meenakshi and Meenakshi-B with coal reserves estimated at 285 MT and 254 MT respectively.

According to PFCCL, the scope of work for the consultancy assignment would involve preparation of geological reports, mining plans, feasibility reports and carrying out Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environment Management Plan (EMP) studies. The selected consultant would also be required to obtain forest clearance and acquire the land needed for the coal mining project.

The total land requirement for developing the three coal mines has been pegged at 1,308 hectares. Out of the total, Meenakshi and Meenakshi-B coal blocks will require 492 hectares and 486 hectares of land respectively, while Dip Side of Meenakshi block will require 330 hectares. An additional 56.2 hectares of land will be required for the non-coal bearing areas consisting of the township, road, workshop, mine infrastructure, conveyor corridor etc.

India's Power Ministry is still continuing with the bidding process for the UMPP along with PFC-subsidiary Odisha Integrated Power Company Limited (OIPL)--a special purpose vehicle (SPV) formed for the development of the UMPP. PFC is the nodal agency for implementing UMPPs in India. The successful bidder for the UMPP will be transferred the ownership of the SPV. The selection of a developer for the power project has been postponed till the formation of the new Government in India.

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