Miners' stir may hit coal supply to State

The countrywide coal miners’ strike may hit the power situation in the State, with the stocks of coal likely to last for the next 48 hours.

Sources in the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) said that as of Tuesday, there was near normal supply of coal.

With 15 rakes of coal arriving each day, KPCL is hoping for the strike to end at the earliest. According to one official, KPCL is not sure whether the coal supply will stop completely or trickle down.

It is expected that Singareni Collieries will continue to provide additional coal for the next few days for Karnataka to tide over the mini crisis.

However, the State is likely to face dark days ahead if the coal miners’ strike continues. KPCL sources said that even if the coal mine workers end the strike, it will take at least a week or more for normal supply to resume.

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah attended the board meeting of the KPCL to take stock of the coal situation.

Siddaramaiah also took stock of the power situation in the State and the financial position of the public limited company. Energy Minister D K Shivakumar could not attend the meeting.