Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Coal Rail Loading Surges as Critical Power Plants Increase
Many power plants in India were running low on coal.
Coal is used to produce about three-fourths of India’s electricity.
The number of plants with critically low stocks rose to 58 by September 6.
Heavy rain had slowed coal mining and transportation in several coal-producing states.
The government responded by sending more railway wagons carrying coal to power plants.
Daily rake loading increased from 370 to 444 in four days.
As the rain eased, Coal India Limited raised production and deliveries.
It also worked to clear roads, remove overburden and move extra coal by road.
Railway rake loading to thermal power plants rose from 370 on September 3 to 444 on September 6.
The number of plants with critical coal stocks increased from 45 to 58 during the same period.
Overall coal inventories at generating stations fell to 46% of normative requirements from 49%.
Heavy rainfall in Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh disrupted mining and coal transportation.
Coal India Limited increased production by 35% and power-sector dispatches by 24% on September 6 compared with the first three days of September.
- Who
- The Ministry of Coal, Coal India Limited and coal-producing subsidiaries are managing supplies to thermal power plants.
- What
- Coal movement by rail increased as more generating stations faced critically low inventories.
- When
- The reported changes occurred between September 3 and September 6.
- Where
- Thermal power plants across India were affected, while mining disruptions were reported in Odisha, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh.
- Why
- Heavy rainfall disrupted coal mining and transportation, putting pressure on power-plant stocks.
- Rail loading
- 444 rakes on September 6, up from 370 on September 3
- Critical plants
- 58 on September 6, compared with 45 at the start of September
- Station inventories
- 46% of normative requirements, down from 49%
- Coal India production
- About 1.83 million tonnes per day on September 6, up 35%
- Power-sector dispatch
- About 1.7 million tonnes per day on September 6, up 24%
- Coal India pithead stocks
- Around 76 million tonnes
- Critical-stock definition
- Inventories below 25% of normative requirements