Though the BJP has called off its stir in the Talcher coalfields over the Bharatpur mines mishap, local people have continued stoppage of work in the mines causing a daily loss of 2.1 lakh tonne coal production and 2.4 lakh of fuel supply to power plants, besides revenue loss of Rs 13.8 crore to the State and Centre exchequers.

The Talcher Coalfields was producing in an average of 2.1 lakh tonne coal per day during this rainy season.

The ongoing fuel production loss, having an estimated value of Rs 21.32 crore,

is resulting into loss of 333.27 million unit of power generation per day, stated a Press release of the MCL on Thursday.

Since July 24, production of about 16.84 lakh tonne coal, having an estimated value of Rs 170.96 crore, has been lost from the Talcher Coalfields due to the stoppage, while direct revenue loss to the State and Central exchequers has been estimated at Rs 110.66 crore.

Besides a large fleet of machinery deployed in Talcher coalfields, the work stoppage has made idle 13,447 regular employees and 9,591 contractors’ workers who will also lose their wages.

The NTPC Kaniha has reportedly shut three of its units due to shortage of coal, while the Nalco is also facing fuel crisis at its plant.

If the work stoppage continues in the Talcher Coalfields, the power plants in other parts of the country, particularly in southern States, would soon be facing fuel shortage, the release added.

Notably, the State Government has imposed the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) in the Talcher Coalmines area for six months with effect from May 15. But industry and trade circles rue that the Government is callous towards implementing the provisions of the Act, for which agitations continue to bring coal production to a grinding halt.