Coal shortage from Talcher coalfields causing power shortage in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh

Dr. Narla Tata Rao Thermal Power Station (NTTPS), previously Vijayawada Thermal Power Station (VTPS), is heading for a crisis. The 1,760 MW power plant, with an assured coal linkage from Talcher coal fields in Orissa, is facing severe shortage of fuel required for power generation. Telangana and parts of Andhra Pradesh are already in the grip of power crisis due to drop in generation from the Kothagudem thermal power station.

Any decline in power generation from VTPS could accentuate the situation further, officials said.

VTPS officials said the plant would require about 28,000 tonnes of coal a day. But the supply was not commensurate with the requirement. In addition, adequate stocks could not be positioned in advance due to various reasons.

In this background, officials are worried that the sudden rise in the demand for power owing to severe heat wave conditions had the potential to pose problems for the utility. Speaking to The Hindu on Friday, VTPS Chief Engineer J. Sammaiah said “We are receiving coal on daily basis and this is enabling power generation without any hassles. But if the coal supply is affected even for an hour, then its impact can be severe.” “We are getting three rakes of coal a day from the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) as an emergency measure.

The AP Genco authorities are exploring options to procure coal from other sources to meet the increased demand,” Mr. Sammaiah said.

Though there was no problem as of now, any delay in receiving the coal consignment from Mahanadi Coalfields on account of transportation and other problems could cast an impact on the generation.

High temperatures at Talcher and employees’ unions strike are said to be the other reasons for poor production at MCL.

We are getting three rakes of coal a day from SCCL as an emergency measure, says Chief Engineer J. Sammaiah. Any decline in power generation from VTPS could accentuate the situation further, officials said.

Source : The Hindu

Amiya Mallick to be trained under Glen Mills, Usain Bolt's Coach

Be it the 'Flying Sikh' Milkha Singh or the PT Usha's, the country had always seen ace sprinters emerge from either north or southern India.

Eastern India till now had seen middle-distance runners like Jyotirmoyee Sikdar, a two-time Asian Games gold medalist in 800m & 1500m, excel internationally but this is the first time when eastern India is seeing a 200m national champion Amiya Mallick displaying the potential to take on the best in the world.

Mallick, who hails from Bhubaneshwar, will train under Jamaican sprint king Usain Bolt's coach Glen Mills for a period of four months beginning January 14 as part of his preparations for the Asian Games (July 23 to Aug. 3) and Commonwealth Games (Sept 19 to Oct. 4). He will train at Mills' academy - the Racers Track Club.

Besides Bolt, Mills has trained the likes of 2012 London Games 100m silver medalist Yohan Blake of Jamaica, 1999 World Championship silver medalist Dwayne Chambers of Britain, 2002 Manchester CWG 100m gold medalist Kim Collins from St Kitts in the Caribbean and 1984 Olympics 4x100m silver medalist Ray Stewart. Currently he is Jamaica's relay team coach.

"I will train under Usain's coach Mills for four months. I will be flying to Kingston via Newark on January 12. I will train under Mills and am sure the program will help me improve my timing as well as confidence.

I will talk to him about how to improve my fitness and stamina," Mallick, who is employed by Indian Oil, told reporters at a press meet on Monday.

The 21-year-old, who holds a personal best time of 10.5sec in 100m and 21.22sec in 200m, is mentored by women's national 100m champion Rachita Mishra and coached by Neel Madhav Dev of National Institute of Sports at his hometowm. It was Mishra's effort that prompted the Orissa Athletics Association to sponsor his trip.

"My target is to have a podium finish at the CWG and Asian Games. 200m is my main event. If I can shave off even 2-3 seconds from my best time I will qualify for the main race in the CWG and Asian Games and even break the national record of 20.73. Some more push and I can see myself wearing a medal.

I am thankful to my state association and Tata Steel for taking care of my expenses. As there are no national camps in the intervening period I am relatively free," said Mallick, who can be confused for a 'long walker' or a marathoner for his lean structure.

Mallick started running at the age of five but only realized he had the requisite skills to do well globally after a brilliant display at the 2009 National School Games - where he won gold in all the sprint categories.

"I sustained a quadriceps tear before the National Games in Ranchi, so I switched to 200m from 100m. That did take a good time to heal but am fit now. I am excited for my Jamaica sojourn and hope I can bring cheer on everyone's face with some good results thereafter," he said.