Restricted work hours at MCL mines hit coal despatch

The 11 am-3:30 pm timings have been implemented due to the peak summer

The Angul district administration’s direction to restrict work hours at coal mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) during peak summer has adversely impacted coal production and its despatch to power stations.

The administration had directed the MCL authorities to restrict working hours from 11 am to 3.30 pm during the current summer.

The work restriction has pulled down coal output at MCL’s Lingaraj and Kaniha mines, affecting supplies to Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS) and the 3,000 Mw Kaniha super thermal plant, both of which are battling critical coal stock. Presently, the average daily coal supply from Lingraj and Kaniha mines is 42,000 tonne only compared to the combined daily requirement of 62,000 tonne of the two NTPC stations.

Finding it tough to meet coal requirement of power plants, MCL has urged the state government to relax the restriction on work hours at the mines to step up output.

“MCL is under tremendous pressure to produce and supply the targeted quantity of coal to the large number of linked power houses throughout the country including NTPC units and all other linked non-power sector consumers. All the power and non-power consumers have signed FSAs (fuel supply agreements) with MCL and the supply commitments are very high,” MCL’s director (technical & operations) wrote to P K Jena, principal secretary (energy).

“We have received notices from district administration directing MCL authorities to restrict and reschedule working hours during peak hours of the day from 11 am to 3.30 pm during the current peak summer season. This is adversely affecting our production, transportation and loading activities at the mines. We have taken all required precautions to protect the workers during this time from direct heat of sun by providing rest sheds/shelters, first aid facilities, cold drinking water at all work sites. There is provision for air conditioning in most of the machines to avoid any sun stroke to workmen. Therefore, you are requested to advice the district administration to consider relaxation in ‘no work time hours,” the letter added.

Top state officials including chief secretary J K Mohapatra and P K Jena, principal secretary (energy) recently met NTPC and MCL authorities to discuss on coal supply position to NTPC plants. Jena had expressed concern over the short supply of coal to TTPS and NTPC Kaniha. While Odisha was drawing the entire power from 460 Mw TTPS, it had a major power share from NTPC’s Kaniha plant.