An impending power crisis looms large over the country with fast-depleting coal reserves at the thermal power stations. They are facing a shutdown. Actually, every thermal station should have coal reserves enough for at least 20 days but the reality is otherwise. At the NTPC Ramagundam, the coal reserves are enough for just one day. The situation is similar in 52 thermal power stations in the country.
The shortage of rainfall and power will spell doom to the agricultural and other sectors as well. The Opposition parties suspect a conspiracy behind this. At a time of increased demand for thermal power, the only dependable power, the scarcity could be created artificially only to benefit the private parties. There was enough coal in the country that would long for another 100 years. However, the central government has failed to tap the same and favoured private parties importing coal.
Several times, the government hinted at the thermal power stations to buy imported coal from private companies that is unviable. Currently, many states are resorting to power cuts and people elsewhere in the country are taking to streets protesting the power cuts. As usual, the Modi government has turned a blind eye to the imminent crisis.
In contrast, the Telangana state government has been on the path of self-reliance in the power sector. CM KCR has taken a revolutionary decision offering free 24-hour power supply to the agricultural sector and subsidised power to various caste-based vocational – barbers, and washermen among others.
Telangana state installed capacity doubled in the past nine years. It was 2.49 lakh MW in 2014 which rose to 4 lakh MW by 2022 registering a 121.5 per cent growth while the national growth was just 60.7 per cent.
By Gollapudi Srinivasa Rao