Stir by drivers hits coal dispatch to NTPC Kaniha plant

03 March, Angul

The Kaniha coalmine linked to NTPC-Kaniha plant remained shut down for last five days due to agitation by some drivers.

Sources said no coal from the mine was dispatched to the power plant in these days. However, there is no coal crisis in the plant till how as it is drawing fuel from other mines like from Lingaraj mine, plant source said.

According to the colliery official source, since it is an outsourced mine, private tipplers are engaged in the mine for coal production and internal dispatch.

Few days ago, some vehicle owners dismissed their drivers from the job triggering mass protests resulting in total stoppage of mine works.

A series of meetings took place by Talcher sub-collector S B Mishra to solve the matter but the mine continued to remained paralysed.

There is huge loss of coal production as the mine produces about 40,000 tonne per day. Besides it feeds NTPC plant and supplies to other consumers also.

Talcher sub-collector S M Mishra said he was hopeful of diffusing the situation and resume the mine operations soon.