Power cuts imminent as technical problems affect Santaldih station

The state could face power outages during this festive season. In a major incident, the conveyor belt of Santaldih power station in Purulia broke down on Friday night. At present only 90 MW is being generated by the plant which has a capacity to produce 480 MW. The existing shortfall in power generation in the state is around 700 MW. Though repair work has started, chances are that the plant will be shut down completely. Santaldih thermal power station GM Sajal Ranjan Roy said: 8220;The conveyor belt which feeds coal to the boiler broke down suddenly last night. These units are 40 years old and such things happen.8221;

According to sources, two of the four units of the Santaldih power station were shut down in the last few days for repair works. After the conveyor belt broke down, the remaining two units are being run on oil, which is not possible for a long time. 8220;If the Santaldih power station is shut down the shortfall will exceed 800 MW and the residents will have to bear the brunt of power cuts,8221; said an official of the state power department.