Bhatti urges Kishan to allocate new coal blocks for SCCL

Hyderabad: Deputy chief minister Bhatti Vikramarka urged the Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy to allocate new coal blocks and grant the mining lease for Tadicherla Coal Block II to Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL).

He said Singareni has been playing a key role in meeting the coal supply and power sector requirements of South India, and keeping future requirements in view, securing new coal resources for Singareni has become essential.The deputy CM met Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on Wednesday. During the meeting, discussions were held on SCCL’s future plans, coal gasification opportunities, allocation of new coal blocks, and the mining lease issue relating to Tadicherla Coal Block–II.

Bhatti said coal should not be confined to conventional power generation alone, but should be utilised in a value-added manner in line with future industrial requirements.

He explained to the Union minister that, with the Centre prioritising coal gasification across the country, Singareni is also ready to move forward in this direction.He further said that, on the lines of gasification initiatives being taken up by Coal India, Singareni is also exploring possibilities to utilise its coal resources more efficiently through modern technology.

Bhatti said coal gasification would add value to coal resources while strengthening energy security, industrial usage and employment opportunities. He requested the ministry of coal to extend the necessary technical guidance, policy support, and assistance in linking Singareni’s initiatives with Central schemes.Bhatti brought to the notice of the Union minister that Koyagudem Block–III, located in the Godavari Valley Coal Fields, is crucial for meeting Telangana’s power requirements. Though the block was allotted through auction in the past, operations have not commenced even after four years, he said.

Bhatti requested that steps be taken to allocate Koyagudem Block–III to SCCL.On Tadicherla Coal Block–II, Bhatti explained that Singareni has already taken up pre-mining activities and exploration works related to the block, and that there is a need to expedite the mining lease process. He said the development of Tadicherla Coal Block–II is important for Singareni’s future requirements and Telangana’s energy security.Kishan responded positively to the issues raised and assured that a joint meeting would soon be convened with the Central and state officials concerned, along with representatives of Singareni, to discuss the company’s coal gasification plans, allocation of Koyagudem Block–III, and the mining lease issue of Tadicherla Coal Block–II.