NEW DELHI (Reuters), – A chief minister in New Delhi warned on Saturday that there is a power crisis in India’s capital. The problem could be caused by coal shortages. These have already caused electricity cut in parts of the eastern and northern regions.

Arvind Kejriwal stated that he had asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s federal government to provide more coal and natural gas for power plants in capital. This was because earlier this week, many had only enough coal stock to last one hour.

Kejriwal stated in a tweet that Delhi may face a crisis of power. “I personally keep a watchful eye over the situation.”

The prices of power-generation fuels have risen globally due to industrial growth driving up demand for electricity. There is a tightening in coal and other liquefied resources.

Reuters reports that India’s 135 coal-fired power stations, which provide around 70% of India’s electricity supply, are now home to more than half their fuel stock.

Kejriwal wrote to Modi, sharing a message on social media that he said coal shortages continued for three months in a row, which was putting pressure upon gas-fired power station, also without adequate fuel.

However, the Federal Government has assured the public there are sufficient amounts of electricity in the country.

After the second coronavirus pandemic in India, demand for industrial power has risen. This is due to increased economic activity in India which drove up coal consumption. India is the second-largest consumer of this commodity.

An increasing price gap between domestic and record international prices has made coal imports less appealing. Indian utilities are scrambling for supplies after inventories have fallen to critical levels.