300 MW power generation down at Neyveli Lignite due to strike

The ongoing workers' strike at mining-cum-power generator Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) has begun to affect power output in a major way, said a senior company official.

"Generation in the first unit has come down by 300 MW in the first power station. We are maintaining generation in other units. Though we try to maintain the generation levels, there may be further reduction in the first unit," the official told IANS over phone from Neyveli, around 210 km from here.

The NLC has 2,490 MW capacity at Neyveli and another 250 MW at Barsingsar in Rajasthan.

Over 27,000 workers, regular and contractual, belonging to various unions struck work July 3 night defying a Madras High Court ban order, to protest the central government's decision to divest five percent stake in the company.

The company is running its power plant with the available lignite stocks.

Meanwhile, the unions said they would lay siege to the first unit Tuesday.