Punjab Likely To Get More Power Cuts As Last Power Plant Shuts After Coal Stocks Run Dry

In total, there are five government and private power plants operating in Punjab. Out of which four were closed earlier and, the last one being operated by the GVK group, was closed on Tuesday, due to a shortage of coal stocks.

Representational Image: PTI

Chandigarh: The state of Punjab may get more power cuts as the power plant operator in the state, GVK group on Tuesday announced the closure of its Goindwal Sahib power plant citing the coal stocks running out.  Chief Minister of the state Capt. Amarinder Singh claimed that the situation on the ground was grim as the state had run out of coal, urea/DAP, and other essential supplies due to the decision of the railways not to ply goods trains even after the farmers eased their blockade to allow such movement. "GVK has announced it will close down operations at 3 pm on Tuesday since coal stocks have completely run out. The public and private power plants in the state have already shut down," he said in a release. In total, there are five government and private power plants operating in Punjab. Out of them, four were closed earlier and, the last one being operated by the GVK group, was closed on Tuesday, due to a shortage of coal stocks. Even though the state government is trying to restore power supply from different sources, it is still unclear that until when the state will have to manage the situation. With President Ram Nath Kovind not giving time for a meeting, Punjab CM Captain Amarinder Singh on Tuesday announced that he will lead a relay dharna of MLAs at Delhi’s Rajghat on Wednesday "to highlight the state’s power crisis and critical essential supplies situation amid the Centre’s adamant refusal to allow movement of goods trains". The crisis in Punjab comes after the bills introduced by the central government for farmers were turned into law, and the farmers from Punjab went on to protest against the law and asked the government to revoke the law. The Railway Ministry stopped the movement of trains in the state after the farmers started "Rail Roko" (Stop Trains) movements. WATCH | Major power outage in Punjab likely as coal runs out