Coal stock for thermal plants in Punjab adequate: PSEB

Patiala, June 12 (UNI) The coal stock avaliable with the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) for its three thermal plants is adequate to meet the increased power generation in the paddy season.

About 20-day coal stock is available at GNDTP, Bhatinda, 17-day stock at GGSSTP, Ropar, and 13-day stock at GHTP, Lehra Mohabbat.

Disclosing this here today, PSEB Chairman Y S Ratra said the present stock is sufficient and the position at the three plants is comparatively better than other thermal plants of Northern region where coal stocks have entered into the critical zone, that is, stocks are avaliable only for seven days.

The percentage materialisation from all Coal India Ltd sources during the current quarter for the three thermal power plants of PSEB is about 85 per cent on dispatch basis.

The dedicated coal mine of PSEB in Jharkhand is also supplying coal to PSEB with percentage materialisation for the period April to May this year being 95 per cent.

Mr Ratra said the strike by transporters of Central Coalfields Ltd is a cause of concern as it has, to a certain extent, affected coal supply.

However, position has improved and on June 9 and 10, four rakes had been dispatched from Central Coalfields Ltd to PSEB thermal plants against daily linkage of about three rakes.

On June 8, the PSEB received a total of about seven rakes, followed by ten rakes the next days and five rakes on June 10 and yesterday seven rakes were received.

Mr Ratra informed that the PSEB has taken up the supply issue with the Ministries of Coal and Power and with various subsidiaries of Coal India Ltd in view of the rising electricity demand during the paddy season in Punjab.

UNI XC HS SG KN1642