Coal news and updates

CIL March-May coal despatches to power units at over 80%

July 15: Coal despatches to power utilities by Coal India Limited (CIL) sources stood at 84%, 82% and 84% of the FSA/MoU commitment during March, April and May 2014, respectively, Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy (Independent Charge) said in a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha.

Goyal said, “Shortage of supplies during this period was on account of intermittent law and order problems hampering coal transportation and despatches in Jharkhand and Odisha, less wagon supply against indents of coal companies, particularly for TPPs of western and southern regions, and transportation constraints due to seizure of coal transportation trucks at the coalfields during the Lok Sabha elections.”

“At Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL), coal transportation to Kanikar siding of Basundhara area is stopped during day time since the last seven months and Siding No.3 & 4 of Talcher are disturbed and closed for despatches due to law and order problems affecting rake loading from these sidings,” he added.

He further said, “To address the issue of quality, third-party sampling and analysis facilities at loading ends have been introduced with effect from October, 2013. The process is being further streamlined.”

However, during the last three years, despatches to power utilities in the country from CIL sources have been 91%, 92% and 86% of the FSA/MoU commitment in 2011-12, 2012-13 & 2013-14, respectively.

State-wise details of coal despatches against the FSA/MoU commitment from CIL sources to power utilities in March 2014-May 2014:-