ISLAMABAD - Fate of Thar underground coal gasification (UCG) is in doldrums as government had not released single penny despite heavy commitments to materialise coal project in a bid to meet worsening energy demands of the country.Renowned scientist Dr Samar Mubarakmand while talking to The Nation expressed serious concerns against the apathy of the situation arising out  of non-provision of approved funds for the UCG. He said the fate of the Thar underground coal gasification (UCG) is yet not confirmed and even undecisive as apparently the government had played role to further linger on this project by using delaying tactics and creating hindrances. Further, it is a fact that influential firms/ multinationals had gotten lease orders but they did not bother to start work on the site for unknown reasons. However, work is continued only on Block-V of Thar coal project.  He said this is a cheapest method around the world to produce electric power as with one billion of rupees, one thousand megawatt can easily be generated.“Now its up to the government whether to continue or shelve as I had done my job and succeeded in producing gas under the UCG and at present the method to be followed to generate electricity in the country is a cheapest of producing electricity,” Dr Samar Mubarakmand said, adding, that though the National Economic Council approved Rs 900 million for Thar coal’s pilot project to generate 10MW of electricity along with a commitment of another tranche of same amount during the 1st quarter of next fiscal year to meet  the objective yet no single penny released in this regard.Dr Samar reiterating his earlier stance to meet  country’s energy needs with Thar  coal reserves said that if government fully support and cooperate then within three years electricity can be generated by utilising coal reserves in the country and ultimately an end to energy crisis.Over a question, the scientist said that Thar coalfield Block No V alone has 1.4 billion tons coal reserves so in other words this block has the potential to generate electricity to meet country’s need for next more than fifty to sixty years. Out of all projects at Thar coal site, work is on progress only in block-V.Sources was of the view that the production test of 10MW was to decide the fate of the project and if it may become a success story then government would release remaining funds for 100MW production. He said the electricity generated through process would be available at $16 per MW as compared to $77 per MW and $69 per MW through integrated gas combined cycle and natural gas combined cycle, respectivelyIt is worth mentioning that the UCG is a better alternative to explore huge coal reserves as compared with mining process that needs heavy investment besides technical and processing hindrances in the area.  Besides, the project would also generate 2,000 barrels of diesel per day, which would help significantly reduce the petroleum products’ import bill of the country.Earlier, the Annual Plan Coordination Committee had allocated just Rs 200 million for the crucial project but recently the NEC allocated Rs 900 million enabling Dr Samar Mubarakmand to start work on the project. After successful implementation of the pilot project, the allocation was promised to be further increased with pray for the success of this initiative.A tug of war had started when Member Energy Planning Commission Shahid Sattar publicly criticised Thar coal project and challenged the ability of the flame produced through gasification of this project. But Dr Samar Mubarakmand challenged such assertions and stated the data of Thar coal proved its viability and it would help overcome power shortfall. Besides, the project would also generate 2,000 barrels of diesel per day, which would help significantly reduce the petroleum products’ import bill of the country.