New Delhi: In a major breakthrough for coal production in Odisha, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited, has resolved a long-pending land acquisition dispute at Hensamul, Talasahi in the Talcher region. The resolution clears a critical bottleneck for the expansion of the Bhubaneswari open-cast project, one of the company’s flagship coal mines.
Odisha High Court Issues Landmark Ruling
The breakthrough comes following a decisive ruling by the High Court of Odisha in Writ Appeal No.34 of 2015 (Gadadhar Biswal & Others vs MCL). The court directed the villagers involved in the case to hand over the disputed land to MCL within a month, bringing closure to nearly a decade of legal hurdles.
In addition, the court ordered MCL to provide transit accommodation to 25 persons within the same timeframe and to accelerate work at the designated resettlement site.
Dispute Dates Back to 2014
The dispute stems from a 2014 petition filed by 102 villagers from Hensamul and Talasahi, who had sought additional benefits despite having already received compensation, employment opportunities, and resettlement plots under the Government of Odisha’s Rehabilitation and Resettlement (R&R) policy.
The legal proceedings delayed the expansion of the Bhubaneswari mine for nearly ten years, impacting coal production plans and long-term development in the region.
Boost for Coal Production and Energy Security
MCL stated that the resolution will now allow the Bhubaneswari open-cast mine to ramp up coal production, contributing significantly to India’s energy supply chain. The Talcher coalfields, where the mine is located, are a major source of coal for thermal power plants across the country.
The company emphasized that unlocking this expansion is a vital step toward meeting the nation’s growing power demand, particularly as India continues to rely on coal to support its base-load energy requirements.
About MCL
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) is one of the eight subsidiaries of Coal India Limited (CIL), a Government of India enterprise under the Ministry of Coal. Headquartered in Sambalpur, Odisha, MCL operates some of the largest coal mines in India, particularly in the Talcher and Ib Valley coalfields. Established in 1992, MCL plays a critical role in meeting the country’s thermal coal demand, especially for power generation. It is known for its high production volumes, mechanized open-cast mining operations, and contributions to regional development and employment in Odisha.
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