Thar coal project: ‘Utilise coal royalty for development in Tharparkar’

Energy minister claims govt ‘considering’ to install solar tube wells, submersible pumps to help mitigate drought

HYDERABAD: Legislators from Tharparkar and Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) have suggested the Sindh government to dedicate the royalty from the coal projects for development of the desert-based district where the people have suffered from consecutive years of drought.

The recommendation was made before Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh, who visited SECMC’s mining and power generation projects and Thar Foundation’s projects in Tharparkar on Monday.

“Sindh will play the central role in addressing the crisis of power shortage in Pakistan,” said Shaikh, adding that the Thar coal project will prove to be a milestone.

He said development of the district will be inalienable from the development of coal-based energy projects, emphasising that in comparison to the past, Tharparkar today reflected development in several areas of life.

The energy minister assured that he will take up the issue of delay in supplying water for the coal projects with Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. He said that the government is considering installing solar tube wells and submersible pumps to develop agriculture in the region and to help mitigate drought.

SECMC Chief Executive Officer Shamsuddin Ahmad Shaikh informed that the coal power plant will start contributing to the national grid from December, 2018. One of the two units of the 330 megawatts plant will become operational next month, he added.

He said the power project has been completed five months ahead of the completion time frame while 20% cost has been saved in the mining project.

MPAs Faqir Sher Muhammad Bilalani, Qasim Siraj Soomro and Rana Hameer Singh, District Council Chairperson Dr Ghulam Haider Samejo and Vice Chairperson Karan Singh accompanied the energy minister.

They also visited The Citizens Foundation School, Engro Campus in Islamkot, Thar Foundation Primary Schools of Thahryo Halepoto and Maansingh Bheel, RO plant at Seengaro Noon, Gorano Bagh and Gorano Pond.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2018.