Telangana & AP May Get More Power Cuts As Odisha Coal Mines Shut Down

 Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd. (MCL), a subsidiary of Coal India, closed down mining operations at 3 mines in the Jagannath area in Angul district of Odisha following protests by villagers. At least 122 people in the Hensmul village in the area have refused to vacate, despite resettlement offers from the company.

Closure of mining operations at Jagannath Area would mean snapping off fuel supplies to the power plants in Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. It will also hinder operations of the Bhubaneswari and Ananta open cast projects in Odisha.

Quarters were given to 79 of the 122 villagers, and, the rest were assured of interim arrangements. However, the villagers refused to hand over their possessions over concerns of their livelihood.

The halted mines produce 100,000 tonnes of coal per day, contributing a third of Mahanadi Coalfields’ total output. If the three mines remain shut, it would mean a suspension of coal supply to power plants in Telangana,Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Officials at MCL are trying to resolve the issues and resume operations.

Telangana and AP are already facing long power cuts and if the situation in these Odisha mines doesn’t improve, the power cuts could get even longer.