Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Coal Stocks Reach 123.7 MT, Enough for 51 Days
The government says India has enough coal for power plants right now.
There are 123.7 million tonnes available, which could last about 51 days.
Heavy rain had slowed coal mining and transportation during July and August.
As the rain decreases, mines are drying and workers are sending out more coal.
Coal trains carried 444 loads per day on September 6, up from 370 four days earlier.
Power companies also have coal stocks equal to about 23 days of use.
Coal demand rose partly because hydropower production fell and thermal power was needed more.
Coal India is also offering extra coal by road to help power plants receive supplies.
Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy said 123.7 MT is available, covering about 51 days of consumption.
Coal production and dispatches are recovering as monsoon rainfall eases in mining regions.
Coal supplies to the power sector rose 4.5% year-on-year to 346.72 MT during April-August 2026.
Coal-based power generation increased 9.1% to 535.8 billion units during the same period.
Daily coal-rake loading rose from 370 on September 3 to 444 on September 6, while about 100 MT remains in transit.
- Who
- Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy, the Ministry of Coal, Coal India Limited, railway authorities, and power-generation companies.
- What
- Coal production, dispatches, and railway loading are recovering, with 123.7 MT of coal available for power generation.
- When
- The update covers April-August 2026 and developments through September 7, including rake-loading figures from September 3-6.
- Where
- Coal-producing regions and power plants across India, particularly east-central mining areas affected by rainfall.
- Why
- Heavy monsoon rainfall disrupted mining and transport, while higher thermal-power demand followed an 11% decline in hydropower generation and El Niño conditions.
- Available coal
- 123.7 million tonnes, equivalent to around 51 days of consumption at 2.4 MT per day.
- Coal in transit
- Around 100 million tonnes.
- Power-sector stocks
- Stocks at power companies equal to about 23 days of consumption.
- Power-sector supply growth
- Supplies reached 346.72 MT during April-August 2026, up 4.5% from 331.70 MT a year earlier.
- Coal-based generation
- 535.8 billion units during April-August 2026, up 9.1% from 491.2 billion units.
- Rake loading
- Increased from 370 rakes per day on September 3 to 444 on September 6.
- Coal India August supply
- Coal India Limited supplied 60.60 MT in August 2026, including 48.46 MT to the power sector.