The strike being staged by the Talcher Surakshya Mancha since January 11 against noncompliance of its demand by the MCL has stopped coal extraction and transport from all mines here, including TSTPS-linked mines Lingaraj and Kaniha, owned by the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL).
As a result, coal transport through rail to the 3,000-mw NTPC, Talcher Super Thermal Power Station (TSTPS) has been totally affected. The protestors have also stopped coal rakes coming from other sources like Ib Valley, import coal from Paradip, ECL by blocking the exchange yard track at Bantol village and at NH-Gate track near the Lingaraj Loading siding, informed an official release.
The TSTPS, which had witnessed interruption in coal supply on January 8 and 9 because of the 2-day nationwide strike called by trade unions, is now managing to generate to its full capacity to meet the grid demand with the available coal stock. However, the situation cannot last long power generation would be substantially reduced if the strike continues for long, informed the release.
The TSTPS needs 55,000 MT coal daily. The NTPC management has taken up the matter with the State administration and MCL higher officials for an early solution, said the release.