Delhi, Punjab, UP among states hit by power outages due to coal shortage | Top points
India Today
Several states, including Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh are facing power outages due to coal shortages. In Delhi, uninterrupted power supply for hospitals and metro operations could be hit for the same. Here's the top developments.
Several states in India are reeling from frequent power outages due to the shortage of coal in thermal power stations. The key states facing the issue of power outages are Delhi, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh.
The Delhi government on Thursday warned of a possible setback in providing an uninterrupted electricity supply to important establishments in the capital, including Metro trains and hospitals. Power Minister Satyendar Jain held an emergency meeting to assess the situation and wrote to the Centre requesting it to ensure adequate coal availability to power plants that supply electricity to the national capital.
"Due to disruption of power supply from Dadri-II and Unchahar power stations, there may be a problem in 24-hours power supply to many essential institutions, including Delhi Metro and Delhi government hospitals," a government statement read.
Presently, 25-30 per cent of the electricity demand in Delhi is being met through these power stations, and they face a shortage of coal, Jain said.
He said the government was monitoring the situation closely and making every possible effort to ensure that people did not face power outages in some areas of the capital.
Farmers' body Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee on Thursday announced a protest in Amritsar on Friday in front of the house of the power minister accusing him of not ensuring adequate electricity supply to the farming sector.
Punjab power minister Harbhajan Singh said that driven by the rising temperature, the demand for electricity shot up by 40 per cent compared to the corresponding period of last year.
