The government awarded five coal mines–Pakri-Barwadih, Kerandari, Chatti-Bariatu, Dulanga and Talaipalli to the company, with a mining potential of 48 million tonnes per annum.
As reported, the recent statement of the thermal power generator comes amid reports that the Ministry of Coal has written to the Power Ministry for de-allocation of the coal blocks allotted to NTPC. The Coal Ministry has cited reasons that the utility delays to develop those coal mines.
R S Sharma, chairman and managing director of NTPC, said: “We were awarded the first mine in 2005 and work is on in all the coal blocks allotted to us.”
NTPC said that, as per international benchmark, it takes about 6-7 years to develop a coal mine. In a 50:50 joint venture with Coal India, the company is also developing Brahmini and Chichropatsimal coal blocks in the Indian state of Orissa.
With a current generating capacity of 30,644MW, NTPC has embarked on plans to become a 75,000MW company by 2017.
