The complete shutdown of the 920-MW Guru Hargobind Thermal Plant (GHTP) at Lehra Mohabbat village in Bathinda district has raised serious concerns over power generation in Punjab, as the state faces peak paddy transplantation season and intense summer heat.
All Four Units Non-Operational
All four units of the thermal plant are now shut down. While three units were already non-operational, the fourth unit was also shut down on Sunday due to massive accumulation of fly ash. The plant management has sought additional manpower to clear the fly ash and restore operations.
A senior GHTP official stated that one unit was shut on June 17, followed by two more units on June 19, and the fourth unit was shut on Sunday.
Contractual Workers on Strike
Approximately 1,800 contractual workers at the thermal plant are currently on strike. The plant has nearly 500 regular employees, about half of whom are engaged in clerical work. The strike began on June 9, and all contractual workers went on strike from June 16.
GHTP chief engineer Tej Bansal told The Tribune, “We are hopeful that one 210-MW unit will be made operational by the evening. The issue has arisen due to the strike by contractual workers.” He added that workers are demanding direct engagement with the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) instead of being hired through contractors.
Efforts to Restore Operations
The official further stated that the 250-MW unit was shut because it was not possible to clear fly ash without halting operations. “Teams are working to restore the plant, and we expect another unit to become functional by the evening,” he added.
The shutdown comes at a critical time when power demand is high due to paddy transplantation and summer heat. The strike and fly ash accumulation are the primary causes of the shutdown.
