Bhubaneswar: With the thermal power plants reeling under acute coal shortage, the Indian Railways has launched two freight trains having more than double the number of wagons of normal trains.
The trains named ‘Trishul’ and ‘Garuda’ will carry coal to thermal power plants to replenish their stock faster. South Central Railway (SCR) has launched both trains.
Trishul having the capacity of three normal freight trains has 177 wagons. It started rolling from Kondapalli station in Andhra Pradesh to Khurda division of East Coast Railway on Thursday. The SCR flagged off ‘Garuda’ from Raichur under Guntakal division to Manuguru of Secunderabad division on Friday.
The freight trains have been launched to save transit time and maximise carrying capacity to help tide over the coal crisis in the country.
It may be noted that on Saturday, the thermal power plants in the country, including Odisha, had reported coal stock lasting for 3-4 days. The plants in Punjab also cut down production leading to power-cuts in the state.
The Ministry of Coal and CIL had assured that they were taking steps to increase dispatch to the power sector to 1.6 MT per day.
Also Read: Coal Crisis: Ministry Assures Of Increasing Supply To Power Industries In 3 Days
Also Read: Coal Shortage: Power Cuts Imposed In Punjab, Delhi Too In Dire Straits
