CPPs in Odisha look at imports as coal crunch worsens

Most CPPs are operating at half of their rated capacities as coal stocks at their plants have dwindled to two to three days

Stifled by the growing crunch in coal supplies, Captive Power Plants (CPPs) in Odisha are now being forced to operate at depleted capacities and are even looking at imports to overcome the deficit. Most of the CPPs are operating at about half of their rated capacities as coal stocks at their plants have dwindled to two to three days.

Coal meant to be supplied to CPPs through railway rakes are pending since March this year. The woes of CPPs are compounded by a preferential treatment meted out to the Independent Power Producers (IPPs), alleged an industry source. "Coal backlog is piling