NCL’s Khadia Coal Project to Expand Capacity to 20 Million Tonnes, Become UP’s Largest
Residents of the affected villages will have the opportunity to raise objections and submit suggestions regarding the proposed expansion
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) plans to expand its Khadia coal project into a mega project, increasing its annual production capacity from 15 million tonnes to 20 million tonnes. Following the expansion, Khadia will become the largest coal project in Uttar Pradesh in terms of production capacity.
The proposed expansion will add five million tonnes of coal annually, potentially increasing supplies to power plants in Uttar Pradesh. The project’s proximity to major thermal power stations is also expected to offer transportation cost advantages.
Located along the Uttar Pradesh-Madhya Pradesh border, the Khadia project currently supplies coal to the state’s largest thermal power station, Anpara, which has an installed generation capacity of 2,630 MW. Coal is also supplied to MEIL Anpara Energy Limited, a private-sector power producer.
With a proposal to increase Anpara’s generation capacity also under consideration, the expansion of Khadia is expected to strengthen the availability of coal for nearby power plants and support their fuel requirements.
Land Acquisition Proposed for Expansion
As part of the expansion plan, approximately 140 acres, equivalent to 57 hectares, of land across Chilka Dand, Khadia, Parswar Raja, Bhairwa and Baidhan villages is proposed to be acquired.
The project currently covers a mining area of 1,640 hectares. Following the proposed expansion, the area is expected to increase to 1,697 hectares.
The expansion will require environmental clearance, for which a public hearing has been scheduled for October 28 at 12 noon at the DAV Public School Ground in Khadia Colony.
Public Hearing on October 28
Residents of the affected villages will have the opportunity to raise objections and submit suggestions regarding the proposed expansion. Issues likely to be raised include land acquisition, compensation, employment opportunities, pollution, water availability and other environmental and social concerns.
The public hearing forms part of the environmental clearance process and will provide an opportunity for local communities to present their views on the project.
Once expanded, Khadia’s annual production capacity of 20 million tonnes would strengthen NCL’s coal supply infrastructure in the region and could play a significant role in meeting the fuel requirements of power plants in eastern Uttar Pradesh.
