Odisha Govt asks MCL to complete rehabilitation before mining

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha govenrment today asked Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to complete periphery development works and rehabilitation within the stipulated time period ahead of coal mining activities.

The issue was discussed at a meeting attended by state Chief Secretary A P Padhi, Union Coal Secretary Sushil Kumar and Chairman-cum-Managing Director of MCL Anil Kumar Jha.

The meeting also pondered over construction of a rehabilitation colony in Hensamul village in Angul district, eviction of encroachment, construction of roads to different colonies, provision of electricity and drinking water and identification of land for setting up new colonies.

Kumar also reviewed the performance of MCL and was brief on the company's performance vis-a-vis coal production, land acquisition, statutory clearances, resettlement and rehabilitation (R&R) related aspects.

The Union Coal Secretary had visited MCL's biggest coal mining project Bhubaneshwari OCP (open cast project), Ananta OCP and Jagannath OCP in Talcher Coalfields yesterday, where he was briefed on mining conditions and project plans.