Thar coal project to be operational from Dec 2013 – Dr Samar Mubarakmand

ISLAMABAD: Thar coal project will be operational from December 2013 that will bring prosperity in the country, said Dr Samar Mubarakmand member Science and Technology Planning Commission on Thursday.

Talking to a private news channel, he said Pakistan had enough coal reservoirs that could provide electricity to country for more than 500 years.
He said work on the projects was in progress and the first 50 megawatts (MW) gasified project has almost been completed.
The project to cost Rs 8.898 billion, with a foreign exchange component of Rs 5.847 billion that has been approved by the Executive Committee of National Economic Council last year.Finance minister had accepted the demand of Rs 900 million for machinery and equipment keeping in view project’s importance and financial viability, he added.
Dr Mubarakmand assured success of the Thar coal project would encourage global investment by leading international companies dealing with development of underground coal.
He said several foreign companies want to participate in the project and had shown their interest in investing the project along with providing their expertise.
These companies are just waiting the results of maiden 50 MW pilot project and if this pilot project remained successful, a barrage of investment would automatically pour in the country, he added.

Associated Press of Pakistan