Date:05/06/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/06/05/stories/2008060551840300.htm

Andhra Pradesh

SCCL in expansion mode

Staff Reporter

KOTHAGUDEM: The Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is working on a rapid expansion plan to realize the targets set for the 11th Five-Year Plan. The company is out to achieve a production of 50 million tons by 2011-12. The new projects proposed to be taken up in the coal belt were expected to cost Rs 3400 crores, said M. Seshukumara Reddy, Chief General Manager ( Corporate Planning and Projects), on Wednesday.

Addressing a news conference along with other officials of the company, he said the new projects included Adriyala Longwall at Ramagundam, Longwall at Jallaram, Shantikhani, continuous miner at GDK 11 A Incline, Manuguru OC, Kakatiya Khani OC at Bhoopalapalli and Nargondkar 6 & 7 Inclines at Manuguru. The company was ready with necessary clearances and approval for taking up work on the new projects.

He said that the company had applied for Mini-Ratna status. It had been making efforts not only to step up production and productivity, but to take care of the welfare of the employees. The company had a place of its own in the coal industry.

As a safety measure the company had provided 38 man-riding systems in 33 of its underground mines and two more systems would be introduced. The company had proposed to introduce air conditioners in underground mines for the first time in the country. B. Kishan Rao, General Manager (I and PM), Sri B. Bhaskara Rao General Manager (Project Planning) were also present.