NTPC, Lanco power plants facing coal supply problem: PowerMin

Issues like coal handling plant problem, low production due to environmental stipulations affecting coal supply

Stating that some of the power plants of the companies like NTPC and Lanco are facing coal supply problem, the Power Ministry has sought the intervention of Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal for an urgent resolution.

"Coal supply from Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) to Anpara (UPRVUNL), Anpara C (Lanco), Rihand and Vindhayachal (NTPC) is affected due to coal handling plant problem at Amlori, Nigahi, Jayant and Dudichua mines of NCL...These issues be resolved urgently so the coal supply to plant increases," the Power Ministry said in a document.

The Ministry further said that "materialisation" from Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) -- a Coal India (CIL) subsidiary -- and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) -- a SECL arm -- is around 67% and 87% respectively, resulting in low coal stock with most of the power plants situated in the southern and western regions.

"MCL is having perennial problem of law and order while SECL is having transport contract issues in Gevra and Dipka mines," it said.

Besides, there is low production of coal in Singareni Collieries Company Ltd or SCCL due to environmental stipulations, it added.

The development comes at a time when State-owned Coal India and NTPC are at loggerheads over quality of coal being supplied to the plants of the power producer.