Coal Minister Pralhad Joshi announced on Saturday that WCL (Western Coalfields Limited) plans to open up 20 new coal mines with a total capital investment of Rs 13,000 crore, which will generate direct jobs for 14,000 people. He alluded to Team WCL’s efforts to open three new coal mines in the midst of the Corona pandemic and said that it would not only increase the supply of coal, but will also improve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to curb the import of coal. While talking about environmental conservation, Joshi appreciated WCL’s efforts to establish 10 crore plantations on 40,000 hectares of land.He also informed about the planned coal gasification project in Chandrapur and said that work would begin following a study of the project report.
Defeating Corona Crisis and sticking to its Mission 100 Days Roadmap, which prioritizes initiatives to achieve beyond 75 MT Coal Production by FY 2023-24, WCL opened 3 Coal Mines in Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra, along with the launch of digital initiatives, at a virtual ceremony on Saturday, 6 June 2020. In an online inauguration ceremony chaired by Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and presided by Joshi, Adasa UG to OC Mine in Nagpur area of Maharashtra and Sharda UG Mine in Kanhan Area and Dhankasa UG Mine in Pench Area of Madhya Pradesh was dedicated to the nation.
New WCL mines will contribute to development of Vidarbha: Gadkari
While commending Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) for the opening of 20 coal mines over the last six years, Nitin Gadkari, Minister of Road Transport & Highways, MSME, said that the upcoming WCL projects will further contribute to the development of Vidarbha and the creation of employment opportunities. He shared his firm belief that these new mines would increase the supply of coal to power plants. Gadkari stressed the price of coal and the need for more technical action. He attended the virtual inauguration ceremony of the three new WCL mines as a guest of honor on Saturday. While praising WCL for its out-of-the-box initiative to segregate sand from overloading open-cast mines, WCL emphasized the broad implementation of the idea in the future.
Thackeray emphasises on sustainable increase in coal production
Chief Minister of Maharashtra Uddhav Thackeray, who also attended the online ceremony, said that such a virtual system is a clear example of how to step forward in the current demanding process of Covid-19. At the same time as increasing coal production, he emphasized environmental conservation and pollution control. Thackeray also stressed the availability of affordable electricity for farmers and disadvantaged sectors. He expressed his appreciation to the Coal Minister for CIL ‘s donation of Rs 20 crore to the Maharashtra CM Relief Fund.
