ROOPNAGAR, JULY 18: The Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant authorities are having a tough time dealing with the current coal crisis that has affected power generation through all its six units.With the actual stock position of coal being put down to `zero' by the authorities, it is virtually a "hand-to-mouth situation" in the plant where coal is concerned. Currently, the plant is dependent on 70,000 tonne of carpet coal for power generation, which is far below the required stock position of 3 lakh tonne of coal every month.A figure of 2.8 lakh tonne of coal was recorded at the plant in the first week of June. However, due to the frequent diversion of coal by Coal India and railway authorities, the stock position could not be maintained.Besides, restrictions imposed on the movement of coal wagons to felicitate smooth rail traffic for the transport of jawans heading for Kargil action is being cited as one of the major reasons for the current crisis."Movement of the Army on the rail route connecting the plant with Bihar coal fields has brought down the number of rakes arriving here every day," an official in the fuel section said.Against the scheduled arrival of 85 rakes at the plant, to accumulate a stock of 5 lakh tonne coal for July, only 50 rakes have reached the plant.Ironically, the carpet coal stocked at the plant is not suitable for adequate power generation. It is for this reason that the authorities put the actual stock position at `Zero.'One of the six units had to be switched off yesterday and it is felt that if the current situation continued to persist, it may affect power generation in the coming days.Plant Chief Engineer S.K. Bansal, on being contacted, confirmed the crisis. He, however, refused to divulge any details and about the steps being contemplated to resolve the crisis.Shradhanjali samaroh for Kargil martyrsResidents of Giani Zail Singh Nagar here, held a one day Shradhanjali Samaroh as a mark of respect to the martyrs of Kargil action. In a statement issued today, president of the welfare association of the locality, Gurmukh Singh and secretary Jaswant Singh, said a bhog ceremony was held here this morning to invoke peace for the departed souls.
