Coal Ministry’s Standing Linkage Committee (Long-Term) for the power sector has recommended extension of bridge linkage for the 1,980-MW Ghatampur thermal power plant (TPP) on a tapering basis for a year. 

The Ghatampur TPP, near Kanpur in Uttar Pradesh, is operated by Neyveli Uttar Pradesh Power (NUPPL), which is a joint venture of Neyveli Lignite Corporation India (NLCIL) and Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam (UPRVUNL).

NUPPL had requested for allocation of 4.26 million tonne of G10 bridge linkage coal for FY25. The PSU stated that all three units (660 MW each) of the Ghatampur TPP are expected to be operational in FY25. As per the mine plan, coal production from Pachhwara South coal block is expected at 1.6 MT for FY25. The Power Ministry and NITI Aayog also recommended extending the bridge linkage for another year. 

Moreover, Coal India (CIL) looks to offer the dry fuel to the power plant as per the availability. The rate and source of coal supplies for the extended linkage would be decided by CIL. Subsequently,  the committe recommended for extension of bridge linkage for Ghatampur TPP.