Notwithstanding improved inflows in the last two days, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant going through a tough situation wants water supply further ramped up to continue its operations.
On Saturday and Sunday, 23 to 24 MGD was received at the Kaniti Balancing Reservoir. “Unless it is increased to 35 MGD over the next few days facilitating building up of a comfortable stock adequate for 20 to 25 days, we will have no option but to shut down,” say sources in steel plant.
Sinter plant and coke oven battery each and a turbo generator have already been closed down. Though production is being sustained, the precarious situation has forced stopping of associate units, said sources. On Monday, Blast Furnace One closure was taken for 24 hours.
As of now the water storage in the steel plant is adequate for 18 days, only for three days more than the 15 days supply required for a planned shutdown.
Sources say if the 35 MGD supply is not restored at the earliest, there is no option but a planned shutdown.
Sources in Visakhapatnam Industrial Water Supply Company (VIWSCO) said on Monday the supply to the plant had touched 30 MGD. With water levels improving in the Godavari, supply to the plant would also increase, the sources said.
The water being pumped from the pumping scheme on Godavari is expected to reach by Tuesday evening after which the situation would further improve. The VIWSCO also provides APIIC and NTPC 1.9 MGD and 3.5 MGD respectively. But intermittent stoppages are being applied to them. After one such stoppage, supply will be restored on Tuesday, say sources.
