Hyderabad, September 30: The ongoing agitation in Andhra Pradesh over the demand for a separate Telangana state has put Karnataka in darkness.
The road and rail blockades in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh have cut off coal supplies to the thermal power plants in the state. That has led to the shutting down of two of Karnataka’s main thermal power plants leaving the state struggling with load shedding and constant power outages.
Coal transport from the Singareni collieries has been blocked by pro-Telangana activists forcing the thermal power plants in Raichur and Bellary to shut down.
The shutdown has sent Karnataka reeling under a shortage of around 200 megawatt power on a daily basis. The Karnataka government is now contemplating purchasing power from private players at a phenomenal cost.
Karnataka Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje said, “Due to Telangana agitation Karnataka is facing frequent power cuts since we are not getting sufficient coal from Singareni, Nagpur, Simhadri and Ramgundam.
We are unable to run Raichur and Bellary thermal power plants. At present we are buying 630 MW power. In the future we may have to purchase 700 MW.”
–Agencies–