State governments have been advised not to build mega projects or allow large super structures over coal-bearing areas as the coal ministry feared that such a move would sterilise at least 20 billion tonnes of the dry-fuel reserves and aggravate coal shortage in the country.
According to Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaishwal, discreet steps were needed to ensure that coal-bearing areas in the country are left unencumbered and accessible for exploitation at a future date. The ministry is also against approving NTPC’s proposed 1,980 MW North Karanpura thermal power project in Jharkhand and has been pressing for relocation of the project, arguing the site is situated above an estimated six billion tonnes of coal reserves.
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