New Delhi: The possibility of a power crisis due to a shortage of coal has led Indian Railways to cancel 42 passenger trains so far to ensure a faster delivery to and from coal-producing regions of Chattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
Although the Railways stated this to be an “interim measure” and those cancellations have mostly taken place in non-priority sectors and less busy routes, many passengers have been left in trouble ahead of the upcoming summer holiday season. Out of those trains that have been cancelled to enable the movement of freight trains carrying coal, 34 trains are from the coal-rich South East Central Railway (SECR) and eight from Northern Railways where many of the power plants are based.
Besides, protests were held owing to the cancellation of a large number of trains. The Chhattisgarh State Congress has been threatening of blocking the movement of coal from the local mines, which may add pressure to the already stressed power sector.
The State’s Congress Media Cell Chairman Sushil Anand Shukla said, “…It is not possible for just seven trains to cover the routes or bear the load of the passengers. So we will continue to protest and do whatever it takes to resume normal operations. It’s the poor who are the worst affected by such decisions.”
CM Bhupesh Baghel, who left for Delhi on Friday evening would also meet the Union Railway Minister to discuss a more appropriate solution to the issue, Mr Shukla stated that is it unlikely for Baghel as he was specifically going to attend an event.
After the cancellations, the Railways has increased the daily loading of coal rakes to over 400 per day, which is recorded to be the highest in the past five years, as per the official data. Besides, the railway officials stated that the national transporter has put 533 rakes for coal duty daily with at least 427 rakes loaded on Thursday, carrying 1.62 million tonnes.
Further, the officials added that around 753 trips involving 363 mail/express trains and 390 passenger trains in the SCER and NR railway zones have been cancelled.
According to the data shared by Power Ministry, coal production by CIL has increased by 27.2% in April 2022 as compared to the same period of last year and coal despatch has increased by 5.8%. The coal stock at CIL is 56.7 Mt and that at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) is 4.3 MT and at captive coal blocks is about 2.3 MT. “Thus, sufficient coal stock with coal companies is available,” the Ministry said.