New Delhi: On Tuesday, Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal raised the issue of acute coal shortage in thermal power stations in the NCR with PM Narendra Modi and lieutenant-governor Anil Baijal.
In his letter, Mr Kejriwal sought immediate intervention to prevent major blackouts in the city.
“Dadri I and II, Jhajjar, and Badarpur are facing acute coal shortage from the past several days. At present, all of them are operating one day ahead basis coal stock not sufficient for even one-day full generation,” he said in a letter to both, adding, “As per norms, this stock condition is to be maintained for at least 15 days ahead period.”
Noting that the demand has already crossed 6,200 MW and is expected to touch 7,000 MW, Mr Kejr-iwal urged the PM and L-G to intervene to resolve this crisis-like situation.
“With the rising temperature and increasing power demand, this coal stock position is very alarming and needs immediate attention and intervention,” he wrote.
He attributed the coal shortage to the non-availability of transportation rakes with the Indian Railway, “owing to which the available coal is not being transported to the NCR thermal stations.”
“I therefore request you to kindly intervene personally and give necessary directions to the Railways for providing rakes/wagons on priority basis for transportation of coal in order to avoid load shedding or any major grid incident leading to major blackouts in Delhi,” he added.
