Stoppage of coalmining and dispatch due to external disturbances in the Kaniha project of the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) continued for the tenth day on Wednesday, leading to worsening crisis in NTPC Kaniha in Talcher coalfields. The eight-million-tonne project Kaniha OCP, which is linked to fuel NTPC Kaniha, was stopped by the villagers of Pathermunda demanding employment. After the parleys at project-level failed to yield any positive result at unit level, the top management had also sought intervention at higher levels. But the mine continues to remain at halt
Kaniha project, which produced over 7,000 tonne coal a day, has seen the highest 53 days of stoppage of work in the MCL during the current financial year 2018-19. The company’s production has gone down by over 25 million tonne, leading it struggling to register a positive growth during FY’19.
Against 143 million tonne coal produced during 2017-18, MCL is running with seven per cent negative growth due to continuous stoppages in Talcher coalfields, which contributes to over 65 per cent of total coal produced by the company.
Similarly, the six-million-tonne capacity Balram OCP of Hingula Area is paralysed since 17th of February 2019.
The 10-million tonne capacity Hingula Area in Talcher coalfields has been the second highest in terms of stoppages as it has remained closed for over 47 days during the current fiscal.
