Uttar Pradesh may face power crisis if the ongoing nationwide strike of coal workers continues, as it has begun affecting loading of coal rakes.
"If the strike continues and loading of coal for projects remain affected, then it will become compulsory to reduce power generation," said UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam, Director Technical, Murlidhar Bhagchandani.
Minister of State for Power Yasar Shah also said the state may face power crisis if the strike extends longer.
A possible power crisis in UP would also mean electricity disruptions in area like Noida and Ghaziabad in the national capital region.
The Minister, however, said all arrangements have been made to tackle the expected crisis and Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav himself is monitoring the situation.
Shah said that considering possible shortage of coal in Paricha and Harduaganj thermal power plants, coal from other places was being diverted to these two units.
The five-day coal strike entered its second day today with over 75 per cent of coal production being affected across the country.
Fuel supplies by Coal India and its subsidiaries at some of thermal power plants is less than the annual contracted quantity (ACQ) including those in Uttar Pradesh. Even before the strike began, 42 power stations had less than seven days of fuel at the beginning of this month while nearly half of them had less than four days of coal stockpiles.
