Concern in LS over coal shortage in thermal power plants

Urgent action has been sought from the government to tide over the situation

Concern was voiced in the Lok Sabha today over reports that nearly half of the thermal power plants in the country, including over 20,000 MW capacity stations of state-run NTPC, are reeling under coal shortage with stocks to last less than a week.

Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Jagdambika Pal (BJP) sought urgent action from the government to tide over the situation at a time when several parts of the country were facing truant monsoon and people in many states like Uttar Pradesh were forced to face several hours of load shedding daily.

He said measures needed to be taken to boost production of coal as also make available linkages of coal to thermal power plants.

Reports said that according to the latest CEA (Central Electricity Authority) data (July 15), 46 coal-based generating stations, of the total list of 100, reported fuel stock for less than seven days.

NTPC, the country's largest power producer and also the biggest consumer of domestic coal, is the worst sufferer as eight of its total 23 electricity generating stations have stocks to last mere two days, the official data said.

The Zero Hour also saw Pal's party colleague, Ashwiwni Chaubey drawing government's attention to the plight of people from Bhagalpur and surrounding areas in Bihar hit hard by the power crisis.

Rajendra Agarwal, also of BJP, wanted urgent attention to the havoc caused by power cuts in Western Uttar Pradesh, affecting agriculture, industry and the common man.

Bhola Singh (BJP) made a strong plea for revival of the fertiliser plant at Barauni in Bihar, which has been pending for long.