Arvind Kejriwal seeks PM Modi's help to tackle power crisis in National Capital

Worried over the power shortage in the national Capital, Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lieutenant Governor Anil Baijal seeking their intervention into the "crisis-like" power situation developing in the national Capital due to coal shortage.

Kejriwal, in his letter, told the Prime Minister that the high demand for power was because of the ongoing heatwave-like condition in Delhi. The amount of coal available in NCR, he said, was not even sufficient for one full day's power generation. Kejriwal has requested the PM to give necessary directions to the Railways for providing rakes/wagons on priority for transporation of coal.

"Respected Shri Narendra Modi Ji, This is to bring to your kind notice that thermal generating stations in NCR i.e Dadri I & II, Jhajjar and Badarpur are facing acute coal shortage since last many days and at present all of them are operating on day ahead basis coal stock not sufficient for even one day full generation," the chief minister wrote in his letter.

Recently, Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain had sought the help of the Union Minister of Railways and Coal, Piyush Goyal for smooth supply of coal to the three thermal power plants in the national capital region to generate power.

As per norms, stocks are supposed to be maintained for at least 15 days ahead period. He said that a number of powerhouses in Delhi were facing acute coal shortage.

Delhi's daily allocation from the three coal-based power plants (including the one at Badarpur) is 2,325 MW, but at present, it is getting only 1,355 MW, leading to a daily deficit of about 970 MW, according to government data. As much as 80% of Delhi's power comes from these and other coal-fired plants.

Coal India said in a release on Saturday it had rushed coal to these plants but also said Delhi should have planned better. Power demand in Delhi and most northern states have zoomed in recent days because of heatwave conditions that are expected to last for at least the next few days.