Recurrent strikes at Mahanadi Coalfields lead to depleted coal stocks

Kaniha open-cast mining, with 10 mt in annual output, has witnessed a record 1269 hours of work stoppage in FY20

Recurrent strikes at coal mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) have led to depleted coal stocks for both pit-head and non-pit-head thermal power plants in Odisha.

Data from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) show that no power-generating station has coal inventory to last for even a week. GMR Kamalanga, a subsidiary of GMR Energy with its plant at Kamalanga near Dhenkanal has only a day's stock of coal. All other power plants including NTPC's 3000 Mw super thermal power station at Kaniha and the pit head plant at Talcher Thermal have stocks ranging between three and six days.

Power generators