Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Coal Stocks Cover 36 Days as Mine Supply Recovers
The government says there is a large amount of coal stored near the mines.
It estimates that the reported 85 million tonnes could last about 36 days at the current usage rate.
Coal India supplied more coal in August 2026 than it did in August 2025.
Heavy rain had made some coal wet and harder to move.
As the rain eased, mines began drying and production improved.
Daily production increased to about 1.7 million tonnes on September 4.
Mine roads, rail facilities, and coal-handling equipment are also being repaired or improved.
Coal India is allowing some power plants to collect extra coal by road as well as by rail.
Government officials said 85 MT of coal at pitheads equals about 36 days of consumption at 2.4 MT per day.
Coal India Limited supplied 60.60 MT in August 2026, up 5.50% from August 2025.
Coal India’s April-August coal supplies reached 322.90 MT, 6.70% higher than the same period last year.
Daily coal production rose from about 1.36 MT to 1.7 MT on September 4 as rainfall eased.
Coal India offered power plants with fuel agreements additional coal through road transport, alongside existing rail supplies.
- Who
- The Coal Ministry, Coal India Limited, and power plants with Fuel Supply Agreements are involved.
- What
- Coal production and supplies are recovering after heavy rains, while officials report substantial coal stocks at mine pitheads.
- When
- The figures cover August 2026, April-August of the current fiscal year, and conditions through September 4, 2026.
- Where
- Coal India Limited mines and coal command regions, particularly in the East-Central areas.
- Why
- Easing rainfall is drying coal beds, restoring submerged mine areas, improving mine access, and enabling higher production and dispatches.
- Reported pithead stock
- Government officials said 85 MT was available, equivalent to about 36 days of consumption at 2.4 MT per day.
- Coal India August supply
- 60.60 MT, up 5.50% from August 2025.
- August power-sector supply
- 48.46 MT, up 4.5% from August 2025.
- April-August supply
- 322.90 MT, compared with 302.60 MT in the corresponding period last year.
- Coal India stock cushion
- The company reported 76 MT at pitheads, plus 46 MT of ready-to-mine coal exposure.
- September 4 production
- Daily coal production rose to approximately 1.7 MT, from about 1.36 MT during the first three days of September.
- Additional transport option
- Power plants with applicable Fuel Supply Agreements were offered extra coal through road mode in addition to rail mode.