Centre waives RSR mode condition for coal supply

The RSR (rail-sea-rail route) requirement for coal supply from Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Odisha to Talwandi Sabo Power Limited has been revoked by the Center. Punjab's (TSPL). Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said on Monday that the state would not experience any power shortages this summer and thanked Union Power Minister R K Singh for the decision. Mann tweeted that he also talked about the summertime solar power supply from Madhya Pradesh to Punjab after meeting with R K Singh in Delhi. The topic of expanding the Pachhwara coal mine's capacity was also brought up. There won't be any power outages this summer, he assured. The union minister stated that it was made clear that it was entirely the responsibility of the states to transport coal and that no specific route or port was specified by the Center. According to Mann, the union minister also remarked that Punjab may receive more coal from MCL and that it was welcome to transport it through any other method. R K Singh and Mann held a meeting on December 9 of last year during which Mann brought up the problem of coal transportation. In the past, the ministry had decided to use the RSR mode to transport coal to thermal plants in states like Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra due to logistical difficulties in transporting coal from eastern Indian mines. Mann brought up a different problem and urged R K Singh to increase coal supplies from the Pachwara coal mine. He claimed that the Union coal ministry was now considering a request to increase the supply of coal from captive coal mines. Mann stated that the case had previously been forwarded by the electricity ministry with favourable recommendations to the ministry of coal and had been referred to the ministry of law for further legal review. Also, Mann encouraged R K Singh to request that Solar Energy Corporation of India (SECI) purchase 3,000 MW of renewable energy continuously. (RE-RTC). He said that in August 2022, the PSPCL informed SECI of its in-principle approval to purchase 3000 MW of RE-RTC. Mann claimed that the power demands of Punjab and Madhya Pradesh were complementary, and that SECI was working on a joint plan. He said that the SECI was unable to move forward on this matter because the standard bidding document was not finalised. Mann revealed following the meeting that a letter dated February 24 stated that Punjab has the option of not obtaining coal via the marine channel. Because it is the more affordable option for us, we choose to carry coal via train. In order to obtain 3,000 MW of solar power during the busiest summer months, we have sought a partnership with Madhya Pradesh Added he. There won't be any power outages in the industrial or in the agricultural sector since there will be enough coal and power available. To lower the cost of electricity, we can provide thermal plants with additional coal added he. The chief minister declared that the state was attempting to wean farmers off of paddy, which not only calls for a greater supply of electricity but also entails the issue of paddy stubble.