Coal shortage may hit metro & hospital services, Delhi Govt warns

New Delhi, April 28: The Delhi Government on Thursday raised an alarm over the possible shortage of coal stating that the situation may even hit Delhi Metro rail services. Power Minister Satyendar Jain held an emergency meeting at Delhi Secretariat today where he reviewed the power supply situation in the national capital. The minister said that at present there is shortage of coal in various thermal stations supplying electricity. Jain also informed that the Delhi government has written a letter to the Centre requesting its intervention so as to provide enough coal for the power plants supplying electricity to the capital. The state government informed that two power plants which supply electricity to Delhi – Dadri and Unchahar – are left with less than 2 days of coal stock. The Dadri-II, Unchahar, Kahalgaon, Farakka, and Jhajjar power plants in Delhi supply 1751 MW of electricity per day. Delhi gets the maximum supply of 728 MW from Dadri-II Power Station, while 100 MW from Unchahar Power Station. According to the Delhi government, 25 to 30 percent of the electricity demand in the national capital is being met through these power stations, which are facing a coal shortage. “These power stations play an important role in preventing blackouts in some parts of Delhi and are also essential to ensure the continuous supply of electricity to DMRC, hospitals, and to the people of Delhi in the upcoming summer season,” Jain said. However, Jain ensured that the Delhi government is monitoring the situation closely and making every possible effort to make sure that people do not face power outages in some areas of the capital. “The Delhi government has made an appeal to the Centre to intervene and provide for an adequate supply of coal in the power plants that supply electricity to Delhi in case there is a shortage, to ensure that people in Delhi receive an unrestricted 24-hour supply of electricity,” he added. (UNI)