Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Oct 8: Karnataka Chief Minister, D V Sadananda Gowda, has written to the centre, asking it to make alternative arrangements to supply coal to the state through routes which do not involve Andhra Pradesh, and meet its share of power supply commitment to the state through alternative sources. This was stated by state energy minister, Shobha Karandlaje.

She said that the state has been reeling under power shortage because of the movement to carve out separate Telangana state out of Andhra Pradesh. Because of this movement, coal supply from coal mines in Andhra Pradesh has been adversely affected, giving rise to a shortage of 7,500 tonnes of coal every day at Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS), Shobha added.

“Since the last 27 days, we are not getting 11,000 tonnes of coal from Singareni Collieries as in the past. As such, two of the seven units of RTPS are non-functional. Because of frequent Rail Roko agitations in Andhra Pradesh, coal coming from Nagpur has also stopped. As such, we have sought supply of coal from routes that are problem-free,” she explained to news persons.

She said further, that 1,200 mw of power being supplied as share from the central grid has also been stopped because of the stoppage of Simhadri and Ramagundam power stations in Andhra Pradesh. As there is a shortage of 750 mw out of power the centre is expected to supply, the state has asked it to make alternative arrangements, she added.

Shobha did not paint a rosy picture in the energy front in the immediate future. “At present, there are no new proposals of hydro electric projects. The 375 mw Shimsha project is in progress, while chances of getting environment ministry’s clearance for Gundya project are bleak. Minor hydel power projects producing less than 25 mw are coming up in the private sector at some places. “This year, we hope to get additional 1,200 mw from various sources, and because of these developments, I do not foresee power problems during summer months,” she said.