Blackout Warning: Delhi metro, hospitals may face problem

The Delhi government has expressed concern over the possible shortage of coal in the power plants that supply electricity to the national capital. 

Disruption in power supply from Dadri and Unchahar thermal power plants may hit 24-hour power supply to Delhi Metro, hospitals and other important institutions in the national capital. 

Delhi Power Minister Satyendar Jain held an emergency meeting to assess the situation and wrote to the Centre requesting it to ensure adequate coal availability to power plants that supply electricity to the national capital. 

"Due to disruption of power supply from Dadri-II and Unchahar power stations, there may be a problem in 24-hours power supply to many essential institutions, including Delhi Metro and Delhi government hospitals," a government statement read.

The Delhi government has informed that only one day's coal stock is left at the Dadri-II power plant, Unchahar power plant has two days' stock, three-and-a-half days' stock is left in Kahalgaon, Farakka has five days' stock, while Jhajjar (Aravalli) has seven to eight days' stock left with it

Presently, 25-30 per cent of the electricity demand in Delhi is being met through these power stations, and they face a shortage of coal, Jain said. 

Satyendar Jain said the government was monitoring the situation closely and making every possible effort to ensure that people did not face power outages in some areas of the capital.

National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC)'s Dadri-II and Jhajjar (Aravali) were established primarily to meet the power requirement in Delhi.

However, there is very little stock of coal left even in these power plants, the statement further said.

The Dadri-II, Unchahar, Kahalgaon, Farakka and Jhajjar power plants supply 1,751 megawatt (MW) of electricity per day to Delhi.

The capital gets the maximum supply of 728 MW from Dadri-II power station, while it receives 100 MW from the Unchahar station.