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

Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha to host Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament next year

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha will host the 35th edition of the Champions Trophy men's hockey tournament to be held from December 13-21 next year.

The eight-team elite International Hockey Federation (FIH) event will be held at the Kalinga Stadium, which is presently under renovation and will be in full shape by June 2014, Hockey India Secretary General Narinder Batra said. He also informed that Hockey India will host the event in collaboration with Orissa state government.

"It has been more than a month that we have allocated the Champions Trophy to Orissa and it will be held in Bhubaneswar," Batra said.

"We have full support from the Orissa government. The stadium will have two astroturfs, one is ready and the work on the other is going on. The Orissa government has assured us that the entire construction work will be completed by June next year," he said.

Batra said being medium sized stadium and the growing popularity of the game in Orissa, the Champions Trophy is expected to draw huge crowds to the ground unlike previous events at capital's Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium.

Batra also said that Delhi government was partially to be blamed for low spectator turnouts during the just-concluded Junior World Cup.

The FIH also gave thumbs up to Bhubaneswar when a delegation of the world body visited the Kalinga stadium earlier this year and were impressed with the facilities.