NAGPUR: State power utility Mahagenco has come up with an inovative project to carry coal from Western Coalfield Limited’s (WCL) coal mines to its thermal power stations using a piped conveyor corridor. It is seen as a solution to various problems including high pollution in transportation of coal.Union minister for finance, railway and coal Piyush Goyal, union minister for road transport, highways and shipping Nitin Gadkari and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis performed bhoomipuja of the project on Monday.Energy minister Chandrashekar Bawankule termed the project as first-of-its-kind in the world. “The pilot project is being executed at Chandrapur, Koradi and Khaparkheda thermal power stations. It will be expanded once pilot is successful,” he said.Bawankule added 6,500 MW power will be generated at power stations where coal will be supplied through piped conveyor. “We have started work on the project at WCL’s two coal mines in Chandrapur,” he said. It is being executed at WCL’s Bhatadi coal mine from where coal will be supplied to Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station.Similarly, another piped conveyor corridor will be laid from WCL’s Inder, Kamptee, Gondegaon, Bhanegaon and Singori mines to Koradi and Khaparkheda power stations in Nagpur. It will transport 7.35 million tonnes coal per annum.Bawankule also said plant load factor (PLF) of thermal power stations would increase to 90% with this project. “Coal comes from the mines to thermal power stations on trucks and railway rakes. It causes a lot of pollution along the way. Besides, the coal also gets wet during rains. Many such problems will be solved with piped conveyor. It will help prevent rise in power tariff,” he said.Also, the power stations will get crushed coal through the new system. Earlier, power stations used to get coal crushed at handling plants on their premises. Now, the coal will be crushed at mines. WCL and Mahagenco will save themselves from the action by Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB).Bawankule added road and rail network would also get some relief. “We will be able to recover entire investment of Rs 600 crore within three years. It will save money being spent on transportation through trucks and rail. There will be no coal theft and impact on quality,” he said. Goyal, Gadkari and Fadnavis praised the project and termed it as a role model for the entire nation.Principal secretary (energy) Arvind Singh, CMD of Mahagenco Bipin Shrimali, MD of Mahagams Shyam Wardhane, directors and other officials of Mahagenco were present.

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