The government has allocated a total of 195 coal blocks to various public and private sector companies. Out of the allocated coal blocks, 30 coal blocks have started production. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil informed that the remaining coal blocks have not started production so far.

He said they are in various stages of obtaining statutory clearances and mining lease, preparing mining plan, acquisition of land, procuring machinery and equipment for both mining as well as end-use project.

The Minister said that the development of coal blocks involves a gestation period of 3 to 5 years for reaching the production stage and another two to three years for reaching the optimal production capacity.