A high-level panel has recommended environment clearance for the expansion of Central Coalfields' mining project.

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) “while accepting the commitments and action plan of the proponent, recommended for granting the environment clearance with... specific conditions”, according to an official document.

The conditions include that the colony people be supplied with treated drinking water supply, sewerage treatment plant be made operational in 300 days and the baseline survey and evaluation of projects for CSR be completed within one year.

The committee observed that CCL, a Coal India subsidiary, has submitted the action plan along with a commitment to comply with the earlier environment clearance conditions, which were not completely compiled with.

The proposal is for expansion of Govindpur Ph-II open cast coal mining project from 1.5 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 2.0 MTPA in Hazaribag, Jharkhand.

It was earlier considered in the EAC meeting held in December, and the committee had sought some information to further look into the proposal.

Coal India Ltd, which accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal production, is awaiting environment and forest clearances for its 241 projects.

At present, 48 environment clearance proposals, having a capacity of about 109 MTPA, are awaiting clearance at different levels. Also, 193 forest proposals are awaiting clearances either at the MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) or at the state levels.

As many as 122 environment clearance proposals for a capacity of 207 MTPA were approved by the MoEF during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12).

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