Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) sign land lease for 2,000-tonnes per day coal-to-ammonium nitrate project.

Key facts

• Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) and Bharat Coal Gasification and Chemicals Limited (BCGCL) signed a land lease agreement for a coal-to-ammonium nitrate project at Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda district, Odisha.
• The agreement was signed in New Delhi on Wednesday in the presence of Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy.
• The project will have a capacity of 2,000 tonnes per day and will come up on 350 acres.
• The project has received support of Rs 1,350 crore.
• The project will use indigenous technology developed by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL).
• Two major contracts have been awarded to BHEL and two others to Larsen & Toubro.
• The Centre has approved an outlay of Rs 8,500 crore to promote coal gasification.
• Seven coal gasification projects have been finalised, including three where groundbreaking ceremonies have been completed.