Worried Karnataka CM pleads PMO to help speed up coal linkage allocation for thermal projects

The growing mismatch between coal requirement and availability in Karnataka has prompted Chief Minister Sadananda Gowda to seek Prime Minister's Office's (PMO) help on expeditious allocation of coal linkages for thermal projects.
8The GoK has further sought the PMO's intervention to issue specific directions to Coal India Limited (CIL) and its subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) to immediately resume the coal supply to unit-II of Bellary thermal power station (TPS).
8A total of six TPPs have been undertaken by the state government through Karnataka Power Corporation Limited are in advanced stages of implementation.
8Out of these, two projects, the 1,320 MW Gulbarga TPP and the 1,320 MW Ghataprabha TPP have not been able to proceed with the bidding process due to lack of assurance of coal linkage.
8Once the coal linkage has been allocated by the coal ministry for the above mentioned projects, the successful bidders can submit their Requests for Proposal (RfP) at competitive rates which will benefit the consumers to a large extent.
8Speaking on another issue, Gowda has asked the PMO to request the coal ministry to circulate the list of areas containing coal blocks along with details of reserve price. This information is required to help project developers submit the necessary applications for allotment of coal blocks.