Railways to complete Barpali-Jharsuguda coal link by 2016

The Ministry of Railways is planning to fast track three coal link projects, pending since 1999, following a push from the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh-headed Cabinet Committee on Investment pushing for fast-tracking of projects.

The three rail corridors, which include Tori-Shivpuri-Kathotia in North Karanpura, Jharkhand; Bhupdeopur-Korichhaapar to Mand Raigadh mines in Chhattisgarh and Barpali-Jharsuguda in IB Valley, Odisha, are to be completed by December 2016.

The lines in Odisha and Jharkhand are fully funded by Coal India, while the one in Chhattisgarh would be set up through a joint venture. After completion of these coal corridors, these lines would facilitate around 250-300 million tonnes of coal movement every year.

Consultant appointed for Reverine Port Project in Odisha

The Odisha government’s proposed riverine project in the state has got a major facelift with the appointment of a WAPCOS, the consultant for preparation of feasibility report.

The Kolkata based consultant Water and Power Consultancy Services (WAPCOS) and the state government have signed an agreement for the purpose. The consultant will conduct a feasibility study for the riverine port project.

The project entailing an investment of Rs 500 crore will be awarded through competitive bidding route. The project will be likely to coming up at the Mahanadi river mouth near Paradip, close to the plants of Essar Steel Odisha and Indian Farmers Fertilisers Cooperative and will be used as a common port for several industries.

Odisha sets up SSWCA to clear tourism projects

Odisha government has set up a Special Single Window Clearance Authority (SSWCA) to clear relevant tourism projects. The 13-member committee, headed by the Chief Secretary, can approve tourism projects with a maximum investment proposal of Rs 50 crore.

From now onwords, investors need not run from one office to another to get their projects cleared as the committee has members from different departments. It is also empowered to consult experts before giving approval.

According to State Tourism Policy-2013, projects have to go through three-tier system of committees for clearance

NSL to shift its plant to Odisha

Hyderabad-based NSL Nagapatanam Power and Infratech Private Limited has decided to relocate its 1,320 MW thermal power project from Tamil Nadu to Odisha following public protest there.

This will be the second power project of the company in the State after merger of Mahanadi Aban Power Company Limited with NSL Power as per the July 27, 2012 order of the Madras High Court.

The company is in the process of acquiring land for the second project in Angul district. It has applied for clearances from the State Government and the proposal is being scrutinised by the Industrial Investment Promotion Corporation of Odisha Limited (IPICOL).

Odisha recommends extension of Gopalpur SEZ

The Odisha government has recommended to the Union ministry of commerce & industry to extend formal approval for Tata Steel’s multi-product Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Gopalpur for one year.

The state has requested to the ministry to place the matter before the Board of Approvals (BoA) on SEZs for consideration and approval. Tata Steel is the anchor tenant for the industrial park being developed at Gopalpur on an area of 2,952 acre. Establishment of SEZ requires a minimum land area of 2,500 acre. In March this year, Tata Steel obtained coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) approval from the Union ministry of environment & forests (MoEF) for the industrial park. 

The land has been acquired by Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) for an integrated steel mill originally proposed by Tata Steel in 1995. But later, the Tata Steel shelved the steel plant and instead proposed to construct a 50,000 tpa ferrochrome plant and one 4,00,000 rebar mill over an area of 400 acre along with the cluster of project over an area of 2,952 acre.

BHEL emerges lowest bidder for Odisha project

BHEL has emerged L1 (lowest bidder) for supplying equipment for Odisha Power Generation Corporation’s 2×660 MW thermal power project at Ib valley in the state. However, the financial details of the contract could not be ascertained.

Three companies — BHEL, Larsen & Toubro and Chinese firm Dong Fang had submitted final price bids. However, an official announcement in this regard is likely to be made on 23 November 2012.
 
OPGC also plans to add two more units of 660 MW each soon. Four companies — BHEL, Larsen & Toubro, Dong Fang and BGR Energy had submitted initial bids for this OPGCL project.