Question : JHANJRA PROJECT OF ECL

(a) whether Jhanjra Project under Eastern Coalfields uted (ECL) is a profit making project;

(b) if so, the details thereof during the last three years; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor and the steps taken to revive the project?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL (DR. DASARI NARAYAN RAO):

(a) and (b) No,anjra is not a profit making project.

(c) The main reasons for losses are as under:

(i) Use of old Powered Support Longwall (PSLW} Sets, diverted from other projects which were not site specific. Since, these equipments have become obsolete they are producing coal at a much lower efficiency.

(ii) Non-availability of spares reduced the availability of equipment which affected performance.

(iii) The available equipment can only partially extract the coal seam due to its limited support resistance under the existing geo-mining condition.

The steps taken to revive Jhanjra project are given below:

(i) A contract has been signed between Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and M/s. Joy Mining Machinery Limited (UK} for introduction of Continuous Miner Technology on risk/gain sharing basis in Sector C, D and E of R-Vl seam of Jhanjra underground mine of ECL, which will augment the production of the mine at the rate of 0.42 Million tonnes per year (MTY).

(ii) A global tender has already been floated for introduction of Higher Capacity PSLW set at Jhanjra underground mine of ECL on risk/gain sharing basis which will further augment the production to the rate of 1.7 Mty. This proposal is in advance stage of consideration of Government.