Coal news and updates

As the nation reels under severe power woes during the peak summer, here's some more bad news. The entire nation may find itself plunged in darkness in less than a week.

 

According to the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) sources, out of the 100 power plants that the CEA monitors, 38 are left with only 7 days of coal and 20 plants are left with only 0 to 4 days of Coal.

 

According to the sources, the Coal Ministry has been updated with the latest data on shortage of coal and a joint secretary-level meeting on the issue is scheduled to take place in New Delhi on Thursday.

 

The CEA sources say that there is only 67 per cent supply of coal from the Mahanadi Coal Field. The reason for the shortfall is a politically-motivated agitation resulting into massive law and order problem in the region. The areas affected include Tamil Nadu, AndhraPradesh, Maharashtra and some NTPC plants.

 

According to the CEA sources, there is very less output of coal from South-eastern Coal Field also. A problem in the transportation contract that has been persisting for a couple of months now has led to the shortfall here. The areas affected due to this areMaharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh and some NTPC plants.

 

The CEA sources also reveal that there are major problems in the Northern Coalfields. The coal handling system has completely broken down.

 

The conveyor belt on which coal is carried has been broken for days and requires repairs.

 

The areas affected due to shortage of coal from Northern Coalfields include Uttar Pradesh and some NTPC plants supplying electricity to northern India including Delhi.

 

A detailed report on the issue has been sent to the coal ministry.

 

 

 

Source: indiatoday.intoday.in