There is a coal crisis brewing in many parts of the world. India is not an exception. Our country is on the brink of a power crisis. Almost 70% of India's whole electricity production is dependent on coal. Almost 80% of the country's coal power plants have less than 8 days of coal supplies left and this situation will get any better anytime soon, if not any worse.
How did the coal shortage happen?
How did we get in such a condition? Well, the major reason seems to be Covid-19. The problem is, when the 2nd wave hit our country, it impacted our economy in a bad way. After the 2nd wave subsided, the economy went into recovery mode. But the graph of the recovery turned out to be much steeper than anyone had initially imagined. With rising economic recovery, the electricity demand rose rapidly, and so did the demand for coal. Our country had plenty of coal reserves, but not enough to meet this huge growing demand. Thus our coal stocks began to plummet and we got into a power crisis. Also, coal transportation was heavily affected due to excessive rainfall in many parts of the country. Hydropower was affected too due to less rainfall in many parts of the country.
Response of the Union and state governments
The governments of both the center and states are trying to solve the power crisis. The Chief Minister of Punjab said that he has requested the center to increase the coal supply to the state. Meanwhile, the Madhya Pradesh energy minister said that MP is in a better state as far as the power crisis goes than the rest of the country. He said that he thinks the crisis would be over soon. But at the same time, he has also said that anyone can't predict any accidental happenings. The CM of Delhi said that Delhi could face a power crisis due to the coal shortage. He also urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter.
Meanwhile, the Union Power Minister has assured that coal supplies will be maintained. He has also asked the Gas Authority of India to maintain the required supplies of gas to the power stations across the country. The Coal Ministry has said that there are adequate coal stocks present in the country and there will be no shortage as the stock is being replenished continuously.
Read More -
Comentarios