Coal production, supply from Talcher continue to suffer

Sambalpur: Stoppage of coal production and supply continued at Talcher Coalfields of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) on seventh day on Tuesday, following Bharatpur Open Cast Project (OCP) accident.

Talcher coalfields, producing in an average of 2.1 lakh tonne coal per day during this rainy season, came to grinding halt from the evening of July 24.

At least four feared dead and nine injured following a strata collapse that triggered a massive landslide in the mine on July 23 night. An agitation was going on demanding a high-level probe and adequate compensation to the deceased families.

While the total loss of production and despatch of coal due to work stoppage is estimated over 12 lakh tonne, the quantum loss to the company till today has been estimated at Rs 128.32 crore and total loss to the state and central exchequer is estimated to be around Rs 83.06 crore, said a company statement.

NTPC Kaniha has shut down three of its units due to the shortage of coal, while NALCO is also facing fuel crisis at its plant.

MCL is diverting two rakes of coal from Ib Valley Coalfields to NTPC, Kaniha, and efforts have also been made to divert one rake coal from Basundhara Area under Ib Valley Coalfields to NALCO.