Economic blockade cripples Talcher coalfield   

By Express News Service
ANGUL: Production and despatch of coal in Talcher coalfield was paralysed on Monday because of the financial blockade staged by native outfit Talcher Surakhya Manch demanding fulfilment of five-point constitution of calls for.

In the morning, lots of of protestors fanned out to 9 coal mines and stopped operations. They stopped transport of coal by railways and vans. The strike led to finish stoppage of coal provide to energy vegetation of NTPC and Nalco. Coal from Talcher coal is despatched to 10 States. Local markets had been additionally shut down by supporters of the financial blockade.

However, operations in Talcher Thermal Power Station (TTPS) and NTPC-Kaniha had been regular. There was ordinary attendance at NTPC-Kaniha however no contractual employee was current at TTPS.Manch president Murali Sahu mentioned, the strike was profitable as all 9 coal mines had been shut down. There was no coal provide to anywhere from Talcher.

“Though two NTPC power plants were operational, there was a thin attendance in the plants due to strike which was peaceful. The blockade was necessary in the interest of Talcher,” he mentioned.

The calls for of the Manch embody functioning of Talcher medical faculty from the present tutorial session, establishing of a brand new thermal energy plant rather than the previous TTPS, railway hyperlink between Talcher and Angul, extension of Puri-Talcher practice as much as Kaniha and obligatory tarpaulin cowl on vans engaged in transportation.

A coal official mentioned, “There was a huge loss in coal production due to the strike. Talcher coalfield produces more than 3 lakh tonne of coal per day and despatches about the same amount to consumers. So far as demands of the agitators are concerned, Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) can do nothing about TTPS and rail line works.”

The blockade was referred to as off within the night after Angul Collector SS Swain held discussions with members of the Manch. Sahu mentioned the administration assured to look into their calls for. 

Talcher Sub-Collector RK Swain mentioned Talcher medical faculty shall be practical this yr however lessons will begin subsequent yr. MCL officers have agreed to type a committee to make sure that transportation vans are lined with tarpaulin. However, it’s as much as the Central authorities to take a name on the remainder of the calls for, he added.