Insufficient coal supply hamper NTPC's plants

NTPC's thermal power plants are also suffering on account of improper and visibly insufficient coal evacuation facilities. Most affected are its Kahalgaon, Talcher and Farakka thermal power stations.

Coal evacuation from Rajmahal site through MGR remains a major constraint due to inadequate availability of crushers at mine end. Supply through MGR in April 2011 is only at the rate of 27,000 tonnes per day against an assurance of 35,000 tonnes per day by Coal India Limited.

Supply from Rajmahal wharfwall through railway rake by dozer crushing and supply of crushed coal from Pirparti is yet to commence.

Supply of imported coal has been at the rate of 2.5 rakes a day during April 2011 as against a schedule of four rakes. Also, about 1.5 lakhs MT of imported coal is lying idle at ports, owing to inadequate coal evacuation facilities.
In addition, rapid loading system at Lingraj needs to be expeditiously constructed to ensure sustained coal supplies to Talcher STPS on a long term basis.