BENGALURU: With coal supply to the state-owned thermal plants running dangerously low, the state government is scrambling to get coal stocks from various sources. Since Karnataka does not have its captive coal mines, it is dependent on mines outside the state.
But senior KPCL officials were not forthcoming on the additional cost that will be incurred for coal purchase to tide over the present crisis. Majority of the coal supply to the state is from the Western Coalfields Ltd in Maharashtra and Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd in Odisha. Some of it also comes from The Singareni Collieries Company Ltd in Telangana.
Expecting three rakes of coal every two days
“We are supposed to get three rakes of coal every two days from Western Coalfields Ltd, but they are supplying less than 50 per cent citing some logistics issues. For the remainder, we have taken up the responsibility of transporting coal from the mines to the nearest railway station which is about 4o km away. This means additional cost for the state, but since we are in distress, there is no other option. This apart, we are planning to approach other mines for additional coal, which will again involve cost,” a senior official said.
Sources explained that apart from the existing supplies, Karnataka had coal linkage in Maharashtra. But due to legal hurdles, the issue is before the Supreme Court. “We were managing all these years with the linkage and all the three units at Ballari were operational. Now, with no supply, two units are not working. Till the case is heard by the Supreme Court, we will not know the fate of the linkage,’’ sources said.