Dispatch of coal to power firms a priority: Govt

Amid a severe disruption of electricity supply in different parts of the country due to an acute coal shortage, the government today said it has advised coal companies to ensure priority movement of the dry fuel to power stations to improve generation.

"The Ministry of Coal is regularly reviewing the coal stock position with the power plants of the country and government coal companies have been directed to give the highest priority to coal dispatches for the power sector," an official statement said.

In a bid to improve the stocks position at power stations, a total of 141 rakes carrying coal were dispatched to various units on October 30, it said.

"In addition to that, seven rakes and another 1,88,000 tonnes of coal were dispatched through the MGR (Merry-Go-Round transport mode, an exclusive arrangement made by the power stations themselves) to the power stations," it added.

In October, the railway load dispatched daily from CIL sources was 157 rakes, out of which 128 rakes were destined for power stations.

As per data released by Central Electricity Authority (CEA), 33 power plants with a total generation capacity of 39,054 MW across the country were facing an acute fuel shortage and had coal stocks for less than four days on October 28.

Power plants usually maintain 10-15 days of coal stocks. The situation is considered critical if the reserves fall below seven days' generation requirement.

The Coal Ministry said, "The stock position in the power stations of northern India has also been continuously reviewed. The average loading to these stations during the current month has been 44 rakes per day."

On October 30, a total of 51 rakes were dispatched, out of which 24 rakes were sent to the power stations of Uttar Pradesh alone. While three rakes were dispatched to the Unchahar plant, the Dadri project was sent 10 rakes. In addition, the thermal power station at Faridabad was sent 10 rakes and the Panipat plant four rakes.

During the last three days, 166 rakes have been dispatched to power stations in northern India. Regular coal supply is being maintained to power plants in Andhra Pradesh as well.

The Coal Ministry has attributed the shortage of coal to a number of factors, including lower production by Coal India on account of heavy rains in August-September and a strike at Singareni Collieries Company (SCCL), which has been called off.

Regular coal supply from SCCL has been restored, the ministry said last week, adding that it will take some more time for these plants to build up their coal stocks.