Power generation:UP not to import coal despite Centre’s directions

LUCKNOW The Centre’s fresh directions notwithstanding, Uttar Pradesh has decided not to import expensive foreign coal for power generation, pleading that its thermal plants have adequate stock of domestic coal to remain operational in the months to come, said officials aware of the issue.

The UP Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Ltd (Uprvunl), a government-owned entity owning several thermal plants in the state, has already written to the state government, briefing it on the sufficient availability of domestic coal with no further requirement for coal imports.

“In the light of the Union power ministry’s latest directions for import of coal, we have informed the state government that the Utpadan Nigam’s thermal plants have coal reserves to the tune of 14 lakh tonnes while another 10 lakh tonnes of domestic coal will be transported to the plants through RCR mode by June,” a senior official said.