Govt clears expansion project of Northern Coalfields

NEW DELHI: The government on Thursday approved a proposal of Coal India Ltd's subsidiary to expand production capacity of Nigahi open cast mines from 10 to 15 million tonnes per annum at an estimated cost of Rs 259.40 crore.

"The additional coal production will meet the requirement of third phase of Vindhayachal power plant of NTPC Ltd," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told reporters after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

The expansion project will be implemented by Northern Coalfields Ltd, a subsidiary of CIL.