The coal stock held by coal companies witnessed a surge by June 30, reaching 95.02 MT. File
| Photo Credit: G N RAO

The country’s coal production rose by 14.49% to 84.63 million tonne (MT) in June. The country’s coal output was 73.92 MT in June last fiscal, according to provisional figures of the government.

In June, Coal India Ltd’s (CIL) production was at 63.10 MT, registering a rise of 8.87% compared to the same period last year, the Coal Ministry said in a statement.

India’s coal dispatch in June was at 85.76 MT, up by 10.15% compared to the same period last year. Additionally, as on June 30, the coal stock held by coal companies witnessed a surge, reaching 95.02 MT.

“This surge reflects an impressive annual growth rate of 41.68% underscoring the robust performance and efficiency of the coal sector. Concurrently, the coal stock at thermal power plants (TPP) marked a notable increase to 46.70 MT (Provisional) on the same date, with an annual growth rate of 30.15%,” it added.

Coal India accounts for over 80% of domestic coal output.

India imported about 22.20 MT of coal in FY24. File
| Photo Credit: AP

Twenty coal mines are likely to become operational by the end of this year, a move that will reduce coal imports and help meet rising power demand. Peak power demand in India is likely to cross 400 GW by 2030.

According to an official source, these 20 coal blocks will include seven from Coal India and three from Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL). They will contribute another 100 million tonne (MT) in three to four years.

State-owned Coal India accounts for over 80 per cent of domestic coal output. SCCL is jointly owned by the Telangana government and the Centre on a 51:49 equity basis.

In November last year, Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi had said taht the country was not very far from its next target to eliminate coal imports by 2025-26.

India’s total coal and lignite output was 937 MT in FY2022-23, data shows. In FY24, about 22.20 MT of coal was imported for blending, as compared to 30.80 MT in 2022-23.