Coal supply to Indian power plants rises in early October

India's Coal Ministry says coal deliveries to power plants averaged 2.49 million tonnes a day from October 1 to 10.

That was up from 2.21 million tonnes a day in September and above the October supply plan of 2.37 million tonnes a day.

More rail wagons were used to move coal, averaging 469 a day compared with 426 in September.

Coal stocks at power plants were 18.205 million tonnes on October 10 and had stayed above 18 million tonnes since September 29.

Stocks fell by about 0.56 million tonnes in the first 10 days of October, a slower decline than in September.

Keeping coal stocks steady matters because power plants need fuel to maintain electricity generation.

The ministry says it is monitoring plants with low stocks and coordinating with coal companies, railways and power utilities to sustain deliveries.