Coal Supply To Power Plants Jumps 20% In Four Days, 444 Trainloads Dispatched

Coal supplies to India’s power sector have gathered pace, with daily rake loading rising to 444 on September 6, marking the fourth consecutive day of improvement and providing a boost to efforts to maintain adequate fuel supplies at thermal power plants.

Rake loading increased steadily from 370 on September 3 to 387 on September 4, 413 on September 5 and 444 on September 6. The four-day rise of 74 rakes represents an improvement of about 20 per cent, with the latest increase of 31 rakes being the strongest single-day gain during the period.

The improvement reflects a coordinated effort by Coal India Ltd (CIL), its subsidiaries, Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) and captive coal mine operators to raise supplies to power plants.

Among individual producers, Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) recorded the biggest improvement on September 6, increasing loading by 12 rakes to 111 a day. Captive blocks added six rakes to reach 72, while Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) rose by eight to 25.

Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) and private washeries and goods sheds each improved by three rakes, reaching 35 and 42 respectively. Central Coalfields Ltd (CCL) added two rakes to reach 36, while South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) increased by one to 46.

Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) and Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL) maintained their previous day's levels of 23 and 29 rakes.

The stronger performance also lifted total CIL siding loading to 305 rakes a day, up 26 from the previous day.

Despite the improvement, the authorities continue to closely monitor thermal plants where coal stocks remain below 25 per cent of their normative requirement. Corrective supply measures are being implemented at these plants as the coal ministry seeks to sustain the upward trend and ensure uninterrupted fuel availability for power generation.