Coal block auctions to continue, says top government official

MUMBAI: The government would continue coal block auctions to meet the demand as nearly 19,000 MW of thermal projects are stuck for want of fuel linkages, a senior government official said here today.

"As much as 18,000-19,000 MW of coal-based power projects still need coal, for which Ministry of Coal will continue to conduct coal block auctions," Union Power Ministry's special secretary R N Choubey told reporters here, without disclosing any timeline.

The government auctioned 33 coal mines during the first round, which began in February and ended in March. The government garnered over Rs 2 lakh crore in the auction.

Choubey said that power projects which could not bag a coal block during the first round will also get a chance to participate in the next round of auctions.