GMDC gets green clearance to expand capacity of Surkha lignite mine in Gujarat State-owned GMDC on Monday said that it has received a green nod to expand the capacity of its Surkha lignite mine in Gujarat. The environment clearance was accorded by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MOEFCC) for expanding the capacity of Surkha (N) lignite mine from 3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 5 MTPA. “The approval of environmental clearance for the capacity expansion of Surkha (N) lignite mine is a pivotal moment for GMDC. This project’s success is integral to our overall growth and revenue generation perspective,” the company’s Managing Director Roopwant Singh said. The enhanced lignite production capacity is likely to drive substantial revenue growth for GMDC, the statement added. “The expansion of lignite production annually is poised to fuel the energy needs of industries across Saurashtra and Gujarat, fostering robust growth and development across various sectors within the state,” the company said in the statement.
The launched works involve rehabilitating the Galgamuwa Railway Station and upgrading the railway line from Maho to Anuradhapura, including additional tasks. Another project is the second phase of track rehabilitation from Maho to Omanthai (128 kms), funded by a $318 million Indian Line of Credit.
Transport Minister Gunawardena praised the efforts of Indian company IRCON in Sri Lanka and called for more cooperation in the railway sector. State Minister Shantha Bandara and officials from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Transport attended the event.
Railways is a priority for Indian assistance in Sri Lanka, with over $1 billion invested under five Indian Lines of Credit. IRCON has been involved in Sri Lanks since 2009. It has contributed to the modernisation of Sri Lanka Railways by reconstructing the entire railway line network in the Northern Province (253 Km) and upgradation of the Southern line (115 km), as well as improving safety through advanced signalling and telecommunication systems.
Despite Sri Lanka’s debt standstill in April 2022, India’s support under various Lines of Credit has continued.
(With PTI inputs)