Thanking the Prime Minister for his recent letter conveying the suggestion of the ministry of coal for linking Barauni Thermal Power Plant Extension Project with Urma Paharitola coal block and accepting the offer of tapering coal linkage, Kumar said, "We have since accepted the offer and the chief secretary has written to the secretary, ministry of coal on July 27 in this regard".
The Barauni TPP, Kumar said, was the only state sector power project in Bihar that was expected to add 500 MW generation capacity.
"We are making all efforts to ensure that this project is completed in time, in January/July 2014", he said.
"It is therefore essential that the tapering coal linkage offered should provide aequate coal supply to this plant from a working coal mine beginning 2014 until Urma Paharitola coal block begins production around 2018 as well as tapering supplies for three years thereafter", he said.
Kumar said, "Since the last date for obtaining environmental clearance for Barauni TPP is January 31, 2013 the coal ministry will have to ensure that approval of the tapering linkage is notified immediately".
