Prez, PM to lay foundation for ₹25,000cr coal gasification project on June 20

Bhubaneswar: President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will jointly lay the foundation stone for a Rs 25,000‑crore coal gasification project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district on June 20 and will inaugurate two railway multi-tracking projects worth Rs 732 crore, at an event at Rairangpur in Mayurbhanj district marking two years of the BJP govt in Odisha.The coal project is India’s first commercial-scale coal-to-ammonium nitrate facility, being set up by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL) through their joint venture, Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL). It is planned as a coal-to-2,000 tonnes per day ammonium nitrate plant using indigenously developed coal gasification technology by BHEL.A land-leasing agreement was signed in April between BCGCL and CIL’s subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL).

The project will come up on about 350 acres under MCL possession, has received required clearances and work is expected to start after the foundation ceremony. The Union coal ministry has enabled use of coal bearing area land for such projects and is providing Rs 1,350 crore support under its incentive scheme.The two railway projects are the 19‑km Jakhapura–Jajpur Keonjhar Road multi-tracking project in Jajpur district (Rs 323 crore) and the 27‑km Hindol Road–Meramandali multi-tracking project in Dhenkanal district (Rs 409 crore), aimed at improving freight and passenger movement.

To ensure smooth conduct of the high-profile visit and bolster security arrangements, Majhi chaired a high-level review meeting on Tuesday, attended by chief secretary Anu Garg and DGP Y B Khurania.The president will arrive in her home district of Mayurbhanj on June 19 for a two-day visit. June 20 coincides with her birthday, adding emotional significance to the visit. “It is a matter of immense pride and joy for the people of Odisha that the president will be present in Rairangpur — her birthplace and first workplace — on this special occasion,” the CM said, adding that special arrangements have been made to welcome her.The PM will reach Rairangpur on June 20 and join the president at the state-level celebrations marking two years of the BJP govt in Odisha. The two will address a public meeting in Rairangpur.The CM directed all departments to work in close coordination to avoid any lapses, particularly during the public gathering and movement of VVIPs.