Our gas and coal prospects
Khan's front-page news item (May18) is a comprehensive viewpoint of some energy sector officials on what could and should be done to free ourselves from the noose of prolonged expensive energy imports. If these steps are not taken promptly, then our financial and economic collapse is not far away. Unfortunately, our CTG seems to have washed its hand off any forward going move in the energy sector. Similarly, the immediate past government (BNP) also ignored the sector and cancelled an already signed MoU when they took up the reins. Their whole period of government was wasted away in trying to maximise their own larder from energy investment! The CTG's attitude on new energy investment is simple: do nothing! Is this not shirking a critical national issue? But who are we to question why?
The only positive statement in the news report, but without any details, was the good news about the Naphtha processing project. It was reported that this should come on stream by the end of 2009. It would reportedly produce about 1,20,000 tonnes of octane per year! At least something is better than nothing! However there was nothing about diesel oil, our most needed fuel. If it depends on future oil exploration, then may be it is at least ten years away, if we are fortunate to strike more oil!
Utilising coal, our salvation, is bogged down in uncertainties and un-necessary controversies. Starting from corruption, down to the "babbling" of our "all talk, no responsibility" self declared "Buddhijibies" who are not prepared to accept open-cast mining! One possible way would be for these "Buddhijibies" to set up a coal mining company with government shareholding also, and go for the extraction of coal!!
The government should proceed ahead as deemed necessary, regardless. We cannot waste time over endless and meaningless talks, while the nation dies for want of energy. People from our northern and western regions should realise that theirs and the whole nation's salvation and development is tied to the exploration of coal!
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