'Unnecessary fear': Power Minister RK Singh slams 'baseless' reports of blackout crisis

By Team Newsable | First Published Oct 10, 2021, 3:04 PM IST

RK Singh, the Power Minister, stated that Delhi power stations have four days' worth of coal reserves and that SMSs from power distribution firms caused unnecessary fear. "We have a typical coal stockpile (at power plants) that may last for more than four days. Every day, the stock is refreshed. I'm in contact with Pralhad Joshi, the Union Minister for Coal and Mines," Singh was cited by ANI as stating this during a meeting with BSES and Tata Power executives.

According to the Minister, he "warned Tata Power CEO of action if they send unsubstantiated SMSs to consumers that may cause panic." GAIL and Tata Power's messages, he continued, are examples of reckless behaviour. The Union Minister went on to say that panic erupted after GAIL told the Bawana gas power plant that it would cease delivering gas in two days since their contract was set to expire. "I've instructed GAIL CMD, who attended today's meeting, to have the necessary materials on hand. He has promised me that supplies will be maintained. There has never been a gas shortage, and it will not happen in the future," the Minister stated.

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Singh, calling the alarm "baseless," claimed the problem began when GAIL informed Delhi discoms that they would cut supplies due to contract expiration. "I have directed that supplies not be interrupted in any way. There is no crisis everywhere; it is a pointless crisis," he added.

Threatened with blackouts due to a severe scarcity of coal for electricity generation, Punjab has issued an alert, claiming that just two days' worth of supplies remains. Tata Power Delhi Distribution, which distributes power to north and northwest Delhi, has urged residents to use electricity "prudently," citing rapidly dwindling coal reserves. According to estimates, half of India's 135 coal-fired power plants, which satisfy 70% of the country's energy demand, have stockpiles that are only good for three days. On Saturday, the Ministry of Power stated that an inter-ministerial sub-group chaired by the Coal Ministry has reviewed the coal stock situation twice a week.

Also Read | Delhi: Power crisis looms large as blackout warning issued for city

According to the Ministry of Power, the Core Management Team (CMT) was created on August 27, 2001, with representatives from MOP, CEA, POSOCO, Railways, and Coal India Limited (CIL) to guarantee daily monitoring and management of the coal supply, as well as fair distribution of coal

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