NCR stations facing coal shortage, CIL, Railways rush to rescue
What's the story
As some power stations in the NCR are facing coal shortage, Coal India and Railways are rushing coal supplies to Dadri and Badarpur power plants of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC). The problem started as the NTPC was forced to commence generation from these two plants all of a sudden with rise in power demand due to heat wave conditions in the country.
Top priority
Dadri and Badarpur supply major share of power in NCR
A Coal India statement issued tonight said against the linked requirement of seven rakes to these plants, movement of at least 10 rakes are planned. The government has also instructed the CIL, Singareni Collieries Co Ltd and Railways to attach top priority in allocation of rakes for coal movement. Dadri and Badarpur supply a major share of the power demands of Delhi and NCR.
Units shut
NTPC had shut Badarpur for long, Dadri was under maintenance
Based on the demand for power projected by the Delhi government, NTPC had shut the units of Badarpur TPS for long. One of the Dadri TPS units was also taken up for maintenance. Therefore, coal against the linkage of the shut down generation units of Badarpur and Dadri TPS were supplied to other plants of the NTPC, the statement said.
Possible black-out
Delhi could face blackouts if crisis not averted: Power minister
"The crisis could have been averted had Delhi government placed a proper power demand with NTPC with advance notice," the CIL release said. Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain had yesterday said that if the crisis wasn't averted soon, Delhi could be staring at "black-out" situations. Jain had said that he has already written to Coal and Railway Minister Piyush Goyal about the situation.