Centre must ensure coal supply in Karnataka: Energy minister

Energy minister Shobha Karandlaje on Friday demanded that the Centre make alternative arrangements to supply coal to thermal power plants in Karnataka. The demand comes in the wake of stoppage of coal supplies to Raichur Thermal Power Station (RTPS) due to the ongoing Telangana agitation.

The agitation has brought coal production to a halt at Singareni coalfields and disrupted the railway route from Nagpur that passes through the Telangana region before reaching Raichur.

“The power situation in the state is turning from bad to worse due to the Telangana agitation. The Centre cannot sit and watch helplessly as people suffer due to power cuts. It is not just Karnataka, other neighbouring states, too, are suffering. It is the Centre’s responsibility to supply coal from other sources and send supplies through an alternative route from Nagpur,” said Karandlaje.

Karnataka is expected to get about 300MW of power from Punjab from Saturday, she said.