Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) is seeking the support of the Angul District Collector in Odisha to facilitate the development of key infrastructure projects. On Tuesday, SCCL Chairman and Managing Director Dr. Buddhaprakash Jyoti met with District Collector Mohammad Abdaal Akhtar to discuss land allocation and other necessary support for the company's initiatives in the region.
The meeting focused on several proposed projects, including the establishment of a thermal power plant near the Naini coal mine, the creation of a rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R) colony for families affected by the projects, and the construction of roads for coal transportation. The Collector responded positively, assuring the company of the required support to advance these initiatives.
Among the key issues discussed was the allocation of land for the R&R colony, intended to accommodate 40 families displaced by the Naini coal mine. Dr. Jyoti emphasized the need for an early meeting of the Rehabilitation and Periphery Advisory Committee (RPDAC) to expedite decisions on the R&R package and land acquisition for the colony.
For the thermal power plant, SCCL has identified land in the villages of Tukuda and Jarapada as suitable sites and has requested the Collector's assistance in acquiring this land. The company also highlighted its investment of ₹35 crore towards a bypass road connecting Chandipara and Jarapada villages, which will facilitate coal transportation from the Naini block to the nearby Jarapada railway junction.
Dr. Jyoti urged the relevant departments to expedite the completion of the road, which could serve as a coal corridor for other industries in the area. Additionally, he sought land for a Singareni office and staff colony in Odisha, reflecting the company's expanding operations in the state.
In a bid to minimize disruption to local communities, SCCL also requested support for constructing the Majhika bypass road, assuring that the company would provide the necessary funds for land acquisition.
The District Collector expressed his commitment to supporting Singareni's efforts, recognizing the importance of these projects in meeting the country's power demands. Following the meeting, the Singareni team visited Jindal's coal gasification plant in Angul district, the first of its kind in India.
During the visit, the team explored the process of gas production from domestic coal and its application by Jindal Steel. Discussions with experts also covered the potential for coal gasification using coal from Singareni's closed underground mines, as well as incentives provided by the Central Government.
Singareni's coal from the Naini mine is already being transported to the Jindal plant, underscoring the strategic importance of these infrastructure developments for the region's energy sector.
