Banharpali, 30.08.2021:Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today inaugurated the new Merry-Go-Round (MGR) system of Odisha Power Generation Corporation Ltd. (OPGC).

At a special event organized today in this regard at the Manoharpur coal loading platform, Energy Minister Dibya Shankar Mishra flagged off the coal rake movement on this MGR from Manoharpur coal mines of Odisha Coal & Power Ltd (OCPL) located in Sundergarh district to OPGC’s IB Thermal Power Station at Banharpali, Jharsuguda.

The Merry-Go-Round (MGR) system is a dedicated rail transport line between the coal mines of Odisha Coal & Power Ltd. (OCPL) and IB Thermal Power Station (ITPS) of OPGC for hassle free coal transportation, enhancing fuel security to the power plant operated by OPGC.

Manoharpur coal mines was allocated to OCPL in 2015 to cater to the coal requirements of power generating units of OPGC. The ITPS to Manoharpur mines MGR line is 47 kilometres long, while the track including loop lines and sidings is 66 kilometres, which makes it one of the longest MGR systems in the country.

123 Bridges are constructed on this MGR system out of which 18 are major bridges, 105 are minor bridges & culverts. Out of major bridges, one Rail over Rail Bridge (ROR) is constructed overHowrah-Mumbai Rail line of Indian Railways. One more ROR is built overNTPC rail line. Another Major Road under Bridge (RUB) is constructed to cross National Highway near Belpahar.

This MGR line has five stations – ITPS, Chharla, Gidhaghara, Kechhobahal& OCPL-Manoharpur – two of which are end stations and three are intermediate stations. The stations at Chharla&Manoharpur have concrete platforms with loading facilities to load coal into rakes.

Today’s event marks the successful completion of its MGR project and start of rake movement from OCPL’s Manoharpur coal mines. The event was also graced by MPs Suresh Kumar Pujari and JualOram and MLA Ms. KusumTete.Top government officials of both Sundergarh and Jharsuguda districts witnessed the momentous event in the presence of senior officials of OPGC and OCPL.

With this, OPGC is all set to be self-reliant on its coal requirement and has taken a big leap forward in attaining the vision of becoming a world-class power utility committed to generate clean, safe and reliable power, enhancing value for all stake holders and contributing to State’s and Nation’s growth.