Telangana Govt seeks Centre’s Support for Singareni Coal Gasification Plans
New Delhi, May 20 (TNT): Telangana Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Bhatti Vikramarka Mallu on Wednesday met Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and sought the Centre’s support for Singareni Collieries Company Limited’s proposed coal gasification initiatives and allocation of new coal blocks in the State.
During the meeting, discussions were held on Singareni’s future expansion plans, coal gasification opportunities, allocation of Koyagudem Block–III and the mining lease process for Tadicherla Coal Block–II.
Bhatti said coal should not be confined only to conventional power generation and stressed the need for value-added utilisation aligned with future industrial requirements.
Referring to the Centre’s push for coal gasification projects across the country, he said Singareni was also prepared to move in the same direction on the lines of initiatives undertaken by Coal India Limited.
He informed the Union Minister that Singareni was exploring the use of modern technologies to improve utilisation of coal resources through gasification projects, which, he said, would strengthen energy security, industrial usage and employment generation.
He sought technical guidance, policy support and linkage with Central schemes for the proposed initiatives.
The Deputy Chief Minister said Singareni continued to play a crucial role in meeting the coal and power requirements of South India and stressed the need to secure additional coal resources for future demand.
He requested the Centre to allocate Koyagudem Block–III in the Godavari Valley Coal Fields to Singareni, stating that although the block had earlier been allotted through auction, mining operations had not commenced even after four years.
According to him, the block was important for meeting Telangana’s future power requirements.
Bhatti also raised the issue of Tadicherla Coal Block–II and informed the Union Minister that Singareni had already initiated exploration and pre-mining activities related to the block.
He requested prior approval under Section 5 of the MMDR Act, 1957, and sought expeditious processing of the mining lease.
Kishan Reddy reportedly responded positively and assured that a joint meeting involving Central and State officials, along with Singareni representatives, would soon be convened to discuss the coal gasification proposals, Koyagudem Block–III allocation and Tadicherla Coal Block–II mining lease issues.
Principal Secretary (Finance) Sandeep Kumar Sultania, Planning Secretary Dr Gaurav Uppal, Singareni CMD Dr Jyothi Buddha Prakash, Director (Personnel and Administration) Goutham Potru and Director (Projects) K. Venkateshwarlu, among others, attended the meeting.
TNT KS
