Mumbai: Union power minister Piyush Goyal has assured the Maharashtra government that an alternative coal block would be made available to the state-run Mahagenco in place of the one at Machhakata.
The allocation of Machhakata block was cancelled by the Supreme Court in September.
Goyal met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis late last night here, an official release said.
The Machhakata coal block, awarded to Mahaguj Collieries, was a joint venture between Mahagenco and Gujarat State Electricity Corporation.
Adani Group's flagship company Adani Enterprises had won rights to develop and operate this block.
“We will make available an alternative coal block to the state as per the new notification of the Centre,” Goyal said.
He also asked the state to upgrade the port infrastructure to ensure coal from Coal India is made available easily and also asked the coal companies to supply sufficient coal to Mahagenco.
On September 24, the apex court had cancelled all but four of the 218 coal block allocated between 1993 and 2011.
Goyal also asked the state government to expedite setting up of solar projects along the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.
