National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) has mandated the state-run trading company MMTC to import about 1.75 lakh tonne of coal to meet requirements at its various thermal power plants.NTPC has also applied to the coal ministry for 6-7 additional coal blocks to meet the shortfall at its various plants."We have appointed MMTC to import coal for us. They have initiated the process, and the coal will be imported in 3-4 months," NTPC CMD C P Jain said today.Of the 1.75 lakh tonne, 50,000 tonne would be used for the Dadri (Uttar Pradesh) thermal power plant while the rest would be consumed at plants in the eastern region, Jain said.NTPC, which has been allocated the Pakri Barwadih coal block in north Karanpura, would also invite bids from companies to start operations."We will own the block, which will be run by an operator. We hope to operationalise the block in 2007," Jain said.NTPC, the largest consumer of coal in the country, is also facing coal shortage at its Singrauli, Rihand, Talcher, Vindhayachal and simhadri power stations.
