TNEB concerned over low stock of thermal coal at Paradip port

Kolkata: The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) is concerned at the low stock of thermal coal at Paradip port. The present stock of 45,000 tonnes is not enough for the programmed loading of two vessels, 'APJ Sridevi' (35,000 tonnes) and 'Tamil Kamraj' (17,000 tonnes) due to arrive at the port shortly.

'We've discussed the matter with the authorities of Paradip Port Trust, East Coast Railway and the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd,' said a spokesperson for TNEB over phone from Chennai. 'The prospects of getting additional support from Haldia appears remote as Haldia has its own problems.'

TNEB, as it was pointed out, was not unduly worried over the present situation at Paradip because of the comfortable stock position it has at the plant levels, but would at the same time like to see the situation improve at the earliest in view of the impending monsoon.

While Paradip port is slowly returning to normalcy after having remained virtually closed for nearly four days in two instalments due to power failure, inquiries reveal that thermal coal throughput for coastal shipments might take time to normalise.

'We did not load any thermal coal rake for Paradip port for about five days because of the power failure paralysing the port,' said a spokesman for East Coast Railway. 'Some of the rakes earmarked for Paradip have been diverted to Simadri and the consequent gap in loading will take time to bridge.' Only the rakes detained en route had been cleared, he said.

It might be noted that the loading of thermal coal at Talcher mines under Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd, too, has been less than normal for some time now because of the drop in coal production. The drop is believed to have been caused by limited working hours in the mines. The Orissa Government order banning working in the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. every day during the summer has its toll in the production of coal in the mines as well as road movement from the mines to the nearest railhead. For Paradip port, East Coast Railway normally loads 10 rakes of thermal coal a day.

The port Web site indicates that rake arrival in May has been, on an average, less than six a day. With monsoon due to arrive shortly, East Coast Railway is also apprehensive about probable disruption in both production and movement of coal in the next few months.