Coal strike raises spectre of another power crisis in UP
NOIDA/LUCKNOW: On the second day of the five-day all-India strike by Coal India Limited (CIL) workers, which has affected production of 1.5 million tonnes of coal a day, UP machinery is bracing for a possible state-wide power crisis.
The strike threatens to block the supply chain in UP, one of the biggest consumers of coal in the country.
The strike is against the NDA government’s decision to privatise coal blocks. It is supported by all five trade unions, including the BJP-backed Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh, and is a first since 1977. Over 3.5 lakh workers have joined the strike, supported by power engineers.
Although there is no acute crisis, power department sources said with no supply things may deteriorate after two or three days. There are 10 thermal plants in UP, five run by the state, three by NTPC and two by private players.
“The daily requirement of UP’s plants is about 65,000 tonnes. With no supply, two — Parichha and Harduaganj — will close in two days,” says Shailendra Dubey, chairman of the All-India Power Engineers’ Federation, which extended support to the strike.
A senior official in UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (UPRVNL) said coal supply is in circulation as many rakes are on their way to the state-run units. But if the strike continues for the full five days as announced by the agitators, the supply chain would be broken. Chief minister Akhilesh Yadav convened a meeting on Tuesday to assess the situation and instructed the top power brass to gear up and handle the crisis. Yasar Shah, the UP MoS for power, said arrangements such as diverting fuel from other units have been made to tackle any crisis.
A press release issued by the chief secretary’s office said: “On the basis of average consumption of coal, stock at Obra will last for 22 days, Anpara for 10 days and Panki for eight days. Average daily consumption of Harduaganj is three rakes; it has no stock left. Average daily consumption of Parichha is five rakes; it will last a day. In the pipeline are 21 rakes for Parichha and seven for Harduaganj, after which, Harduaganj would last for four days and Parichha for six.”
Speaking to TOI, Murlidhar Bhagchandani, director (technical) UPRVNL, said, “With the Centre involved in the talks, UPRVNL is hopeful of a quick resolution.”
The final three days of the strike are expected to be comfortable for Noida and Ghaziabad. According to Arvind Rajvedi, superintending engineer, PVVNL, they might feel a crisis only if the strike extends beyond five days, which is unlikely. “Our machines are okay, supply is fine. There are no problems right now. But if the strike is extended, with reduced consumption of coal, we’ll resort to local rostering as in any other UP city,” said Rajvedi. He added that with the weather being conducive (read cool) Noida and Ghaziabad are unlikely to face any crisis.
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