Thermal plants have four-day coal stock

Bhartesh Singh Thakur

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, October 11

Amidst coal shortage, Haryana thermal power stations have been left with four-day stock.

There are five thermal power stations in the state. Three are operated by Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) — Deen Bandhu Chhotu Ram Thermal Power Project Yamunanagar (600 MW), Panipat Thermal Power Station (710 MW) and Rajiv Gandhi Thermal Power Project Hisar (1200 MW).

“We are left with four-day coal stock. But the situation has been the same for the last two months. The supply is improving,” said Additional Chief Secretary (ACS) Power PK Das. He added, “Every year during the rainy season, the supply dwindles due to the flooding of mines in coal-producing states. This time there was an extended rainfall season, which continued to October. That is why this situation is persisting still now.” He said the HPGCL required 20,000-25,000 tonne coal per day. “All of them are running as of now,” said Mohammed Shayin, Managing Director, Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL).

“As of the existing situation, the Hisar plant could run for seven days, Yamunanagar plant could function for 10 days, but Panipat plant might have to be closed down after four-five days,” he added.

He said they required require six racks of coal every day. “One rack implies one train-full of coal. We are getting 2.2 racks. But now, we have been promised that we would be getting eight racks of coal,” he said. After states flagged blackout possibilities, citing coal shortage at power plants, the Centre had on Sunday said that coal stock at power plants was sufficient for over four days and fears of power disruption were misplaced.