Policy missteps, over-reliance on CIL: how power plants lost their coal, fuelled blackout worries

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Indian visitors and officials walk on the campus of the Wanakbori thermal power plant at Wanakbori village

Synopsis
Coal-fired power plants generate 70% of India’s electricity. But they now have only four-seven days of coal stock to generate electricity. The government is trying to bring more mines on stream to boost supply, but that will take time. But how did India suddenly get shackled by such a crisis?

Sameer Chandra (name changed) and his family had mega plans to deck up their three-story house in South Delhi with fancy lights this Diwali. But they have started having second thoughts. “With reports of power shortages coming in, we’re in a dilemma whether to spend money on full-fledged lighting,” Chandra says. His worries are not unfounded. Due to a severe coal shortage, India is staring at a blackout with its thermal power plants fast running