Enough coal stocks to run Punjab thermal power plants

yogindra mohan
Patiala

The coal production in the country showed a growth of 4.9 per cent in the month of November with an improved coal supply to thermal plants but 28 thermal plants have super critical coal stock of less than four days. However, Punjab continues to be in a comfortable position so far coal stocks at its thermal plants are concerned. Authoritative sources in the power department told Daily Post that the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) which monitors 89 thermal stations of the country maintained in its report of December 25 that 46 thermal stations were having critical coal stock of less than seven days including 28 thermal stations with less than four days super critical coal stock. The average coal stock at thermal plants across the country is seven days.

As per CEA latest report Farakha, Kodarma and Mejia thermal stations have nil stock whereas Durgapur steel thermal station, Kahalgaon the coal supply is yet to begin. Talcher, Raichur, Kolaghat, Parli, Khaparkheda Unchahar, Kota, Chhabra and Anapra C have only one day coal stock. These plants are just surviving from hand to mouth affecting generation. In Haryana, the Yamunanagar and Panipat plants have coal stocks for three to four days only. At Yamunanagar only one thermal unit is running for last three months with little hope of the revival of the other unit in near future. In Punjab, the coal position is quite comfortable. Ropar Thermal Plant (RTP) has 27 days coal stock while Lehra Mohabatt has a stock of 20 days. The coal production in India fell by 4 per cent from April to Nov as compared to 0.7 per cent increase lats year in same period.