KARACHI - An important headway was made when Thar Coal Energy Board (TCEB) which met here Saturday under the chairmanship of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah decided to declare Thar as Special Economic Zone and will be a strategic interest area. Later, addressing a press briefing along with Federal Minister for Water and Power Raja Parvez Asharf, the Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, who is also the TCEB Chairman, said that an attractive incentive package will be given to the investors to encourage Foreign Direct Investment and power generation from Thar, the Board decided. He informed that NEPRA was invited to discuss indicative tariff for Thar Coal and after a detailed discussion it was decided that TCEB will arrange joint consultative meetings between NEPRA, Investors and PPIB to work out a realistic indicative Tariff for Thar Coal by 15th Jan 2010. Chief Minister said Dr Samar Mubarakmand was also invited to share update on Underground Coal Gasification Project. In this regard, it was decided that Sindh Government will notify a Governing Body under the Chairmanship of Dr Samar Mubarakmand for execution of the UCG projects. Chief Minister informed that M/s Oracle Coal Fields PLC of UK gave a detailed presentation about the progress in Thar Block-VI and informed the Board that they will start mining in 2011. He said M/s Cougar Energy of UK gave a presentation on Thar Coal Block- III, based on Underground Coal Gasification technology and according to their timelines, their pilot burn will start in 12-18 months time and 400 MW power plant will be established in 4 years time period. Chief Minister said the World Bank assisted TCAP TA project was reviewed and progress update was given by Consultants to the Board. He said Secretary Works and Services gave a detailed presentation for Road and informed the Board that the Department will reinforce existing roads and structure for facilitating transportation of heavy mining machinery and equipment from Karachi to Wango Mor leading to Thar Coal Fields. They will spend about Rs 1 billion and NHA will develop the Road from Wango Mor to Thar Coal Fields at a cost of Rs 2 billion in next 2 years time. Chief Minister said Secretary, Irrigation and Power gave a detailed briefing for supply of water at Thar Coal Fields, In this regard, he said, a water channel from Nara Canal System - Makki Farash upto Islamkot - will be provided at a cost of about Rs 14 billion and it will be implemented in 3 years time period. Chief Minister said Coal & Energy Department will also explore other options of providing water at a large scale basis, such as de-salination plants for mining and Power Projects for Thar Coal Fields.