Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, June 18, 2015 : Odisha is expected to garner about Rs 45,000 crore in next 25-30 years from the ongoing coal auction process, according to union coal secretary Anil Swarup.

“It all depends on stock or reserve of minerals in the mines,” Swarup told media persons here after reviewing various issues of coal mines belonging to Mahanadi Coal Fields Ltd. (MCL).

However, the mines need to be explored, Swarup said on Thursday adding that the state’s revenue would go up if there are more reserves of coal.

Incidentally, union minister of state in independent charge of petroleum ministry, Dharmendra Pradhan had claimed earlier that Odisha would receive Rs.2 lakh crore from the coal auction.

Replying to a query, the coal secretary denied rejecting any request of the Odisha government regarding allocation of coal blocks to Odisha Thermal Power Corporation (OTPCL).

“We have not rejected any request of the state government. We have certain process that needs to be followed. We don’t allocate blocks on the basis of letters. We are going as per the process,” he remarked.

The union coal ministry would consider the state government’s request to allocate coal blocks to its PSUs through nomination route, if the requests come through proper process.

“We are soon going to announce the next lot of coal blocks. If the state government applies, we will consider,” said Swarup.

The Odisha government had demanded allocation of Chhendipada-I and Chhendipada-II coal blocks in favour of OTPCL, which has proposed to set up a 2,400 MW power plant at Kamakshya Nagar in Dhenkanal district.

The coal secretary said the coal production of MCL is expected to increase to 150 million ton this year from 120 million ton last year.

“While MCL had produced 120 mt last year, we are expecting that it would produce 150 mt this year as the production growth rate is 14% more than last year,” said Swarup.

The total production across the country was 494 mt last year.

Expressing satisfaction over the Jharsuguda-Barpali railway line, Swarup said that the project is expected to be over by this time around next year which would help evacuate 20 million ton coal through the route to various industrial sources.