North Eastern Coalfields, a unit of Coal India Limited, is in the process of seeking clearances for putting into operation two of its mines in Assam in 2022-23.
The development assumes significance in the wake of efforts being made to avoid the reoccurrence of power outages faced by the country at the beginning of the summer season this year due to the shortage of coal supplies. Reportedly, once production starts from Tirap open cast project (OCP) of North Eastern Coalfields in Assam, the mine will add 0.6 million tonnes (mt) of coal supplies. The company is also in the process of getting clearances for Tikak OCP in the state which will produce 0.2 mt of coal. Once both the mines begin production, the company will produce around 1 mt of more coal. A major share of the coal produced from both blocks will go for power generation.