Odisha plans rail corridor for Rampia coal block
The Odisha government has decided to develop rail corridor facility in the Rampia coal block on the lines of the already planned common rail corridor for the Angul-Talcher-Chhendipada belt. The common rail corridor is proposed to be developed with equity participation from Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) and Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL). MCL has been appointed as the lead member to formulate the common alignment plan of the corridor in such a manner that there is minimal human displacement and less diversion of forest land. The Rampia and dip side Rampia coal block in the Ib valley area was allocated jointly to six firms- Lanco Power, Sterlite Energy, GMR Energy, ArcelorMittal, Navabharat Power and Reliance Infrastructure Ltd in 2008. The co-allocatees had formed a special purpose vehicle (SPV) called Rampia Coal Mine & Energy Ltd to develop the coal block.