Chhattisgarh’s South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) has promised to supply 29,500 tonnes of coal a day to the thermal power plants in the state.
This was stated when Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel reviewed the status of supply and availability of coal in the plants on Monday with SECL Chairman and Managing Director Ambika Prasad Panda.
Baghel said SECL should supply good quality coal as per requirement of the plants and on priority. The coal is extracted from the mines in Chhattisgarh and supplied to other states of the country, an official communication said.
Panda further said the quality of coal is affected due to rain. At present, the supply by SECL is 23,290 tonnes to Chhattisgarh, which will be increased to 29,500 tonnes.
The Chief Minister asked the railways to provide sufficient number of rakes to Chhattisgarh for coal and rice movement. South East Central Railway General Manager Alok Kumar agreed to do this.
Chhattisgarh State Power Companies Chairman Ankit Anand said that at present the stock of coal in Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Thermal Power Plant at Korba East would last 3.8 days, at Hasdeo Thermal Power Plant at Korba West 3.2 days while at Marwa Tendubhata Thermal Power Station coal the availability is for seven days.
He further said as per Central Electricity Authority norms, the availability of coal of less than the required five days is considered a critical condition. With an increase in supply of coal, sufficient quantities will be available.
He said uninterrupted supply of electricity is being ensured in urban and rural areas of the state.
NTPC's Lara unit is likely to start on October 12 and its Sipat plant is to be commissioned by October 21.