• The statement was issued by the Railways in response to reports that had said that TPS located far from mines are suffering due to discrimination in allotment of rakes
• The supply of coal rakes to short-distance TPS is better because most of these plants have mechanised unloading system which improves turnaround, said the Railways

New Delhi: The Ministry of Railways said on Monday that it has a roadmap in place, which has been prepared after consultation with the Ministries of Coal and Power, for supplying rakes to long-distance thermal power stations (TPS) to build adequate coal stock at these plants. The statement was issued by the Railways Ministry in response to media reports that had said that power generation stations located far from mines are suffering due to discrimination in allotment of rakes. "These reports have claimed that the power plant operated by RattanIndia Power Ltd in Maharashtra has also been shut down due to coal shortage resulting from insufficient rake allotment by south east central zone of the railways (SECR). Dismissing these misleading media reports, the Ministry of Railways has issued a clarification…," said the statement.

Mechanised unloading helping supply of coal rakes to TPS

Explaining the discrepancy in the supply of coal rakes to short-distance thermal power stations in relation to others, the ministry said, "In South East central railways, there are large number of thermal power plants which have less coal stock as per new coal stocking norms. Many of these shorter distance plants have both mechanised unloading flexibility namely 'Tippler unloading system' which uses Open wagon with side door (BOXN type) and 'Hopper unloading System' which uses hopper wagon with bottom opening (BOBRN type)."

"The unloading time of hopper rake is much less, ie, 3 hours per rake, therefore has better turn around. As a result rake supply to these shorter distance plants dealing with faster circuit Hopper rake naturally improves," it added. The Amravati TPS does not have hopper unloading system, which is the main reason for less supply of rakes, said the Railways.

Many of long-distance TPS had regulated coal supply during April-June period of 2021 to save on the inventory cost. Large number of railway rakes got stabled on account of regulation of coal supply by these long-distance TPS. With power demand picking up, TPS' existing stock got liquidated, said the ministry.

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