Power crisis in Haryana as Jat stir hits coal supply
TNN | Mar 26, 2011,
NEW DELHI: The power crisis in Haryana deepened on Friday as Jat protesters, flouting court orders, continued to squat on rail tracks across Haryana preventing coal from reaching power plants. At last count, 81 trains were cancelled through the day, including the Kalka Shatabdi.

Sources said power plants in Panipat and Yamuna Nagar would run out of coal in next few days if the Jats continue their blockade of railway lines. The 1,200MW Khedar power plant has already shut down.

Haryana, where all power plants are thermal, is reeling under the impact of the rail blockade. "Our installed capacity is about 3,200MW. The current production is down to 1,700-1,800MW," said Haryana power minister Mahendra Pratap Singh.

The Khedar plant was generating about 950 MW before it tripped due to no coal supply. "We have already appealed to the protesters to open the rail tracks since it's hitting state's economy, normal life and even students preparing for their exams," Singh said