Coal supply to the power sector averaged 2.49 mt per day in October. The Coal Ministry said this rose from 2.21 mt per day in September. Higher rake loading helped this growth. Stocks at power plants stayed stable above 18 mt, as the ministry worked to ensure steady power generation.
The Coal Ministry said on Monday that coal supply to the power sector averaged at 2.49 million tonnes (mt) per day in October against 2.21 mt per day in September.
The actual coal supply in October (till October 10) is higher than the supply plan of 2.37 mt per day for the month, and supply exceeded the plan on nine out of the 10 days.
Higher rake loading has driven this improvement. Rakes loaded to the power sector averaged 469 rakes per day in October 2026 (October 1–10), against 426 rakes per day in September, an increase of about 10 per cent. Daily rake loading in the current month ranged between 447 and 482 rakes.
The coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants have remained stable above 18 mt since September 29, 2026. Stock was 18.932 mt on September 29 and is at 18.205 mt on October 10, the Ministry said.
The stabilisation reflects coal supplies keeping pace with daily consumption at power plants and the supply to the plants with critical stocks is being closely monitored, with requirement-based redistribution of coal to vulnerable stations to ensure adequate supplies and uninterrupted power generation, it added.
The pace of depletion has eased considerably in October compared to September.
For instance, in September 2026, stock declined by about 7.28 mt over the month, an average of about 0.24 mt per day. In the first 10 days of October, stock declined by only about 0.56 mt in total, an average of about 0.06 mt per day.
The Ministry continues to work in close coordination with Coal India (CIL), SCCL, the Ministry of Railways and power utilities to ensure sustained coal evacuation and supply, thereby maintaining adequate coal stocks at thermal power plants.
The Ministry duly acknowledges and appreciates the continued support and professional commitment of Indian Railways in facilitating the efficient movement of coal.