The coal supply from Chhattisgarh’s Parsa East and Kanta Basan mines to Rajasthan has been halted due to a locals’ ongoing protest amid rising power demand.
The state government’s electricity generation company, Rajasthan Rajyut Utpadan Nigam Limited, has been receiving nine coal rakes less per day from Chhattisgarh. There is a 40% shortfall in fuel supply for power generation.
Rajasthan’s principal secretary (energy department), Bhaskar A Sawant, stated that the Centre has allocated a 50% supply of uninterrupted coal from Odisha’s Mahanadi Cold Field Limited to compensate for Chhattisgarh’s coal supply disruption. He cited a lack of rail rakes as one of the reasons the state government is having difficulty transporting coal. “…to solve this problem, it was decided to transport this coal by rail from the east coast [Paradip Port] to the west and then to Rajasthan.” Sawant also stated that a short-term tender was issued for its implementation.
Sawant said the coal supply will definitely improve with the transportation of coal through rail and ship mode. “Continuing efforts are to increase the quantum of allocation of this coal and to expedite these efforts.” He said state officials will meet the Central government functionaries on Tuesday to discuss the matter.