Coal block auctions to continue, says top government official

Mumbai: The government would continue coal block auctions to meet the demand as nearly 19,000MW of thermal projects are stuck for want of fuel linkages, said a senior government official. "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," said Union Power Ministry's special secretary R N Choubey.

The government auctioned 33 coalmines 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.