Bokaro: In preparation for the monsoon that will arrive in a few days, coal producers here have developed strategies to maintain production during rainy months. There is already a crisis in thermal power plants in the country, as their coal stocks have fallen below critical level in several units. Bokaro’s four operating power plants are also facing a crisis.
While power plants are concerned about getting consistent coal supplies during rainy days, when waterlogging in coal mines affects coal production, the officials of Central Coalfield Limited have decided to maintain coal production despite all odds. MK Aggarwal, General Manager of CCL, said, “We have developed a strategy to resolve the problem of water logging in mines during monsoon”.
At a meeting between CCL officials at Dhori Guest House, it was decided to increase the number of motor pumps to drain the mines’ water. CCL, a miniratna company, has three operational projects – Dhori, Kathara, and Bokaro and Kargili. In the Bermo sub-division, there are 19 opencast and underground mines. They produce 1.25 million tons of coal annually. Bokaro & Kargili have the highest production.
“The monsoon season is considered to be the slowest period in the coal sector,” said Aggarwal. Due to the increase in electricity consumption during the rainy season, the demand for coal increases. As a result, efforts should be made to ensure that the industrial establishments of the country do not run out of coal during monsoon.
