The country has registered significant growth of 7.12 per cent in the overall coal production so far this year. The Ministry of Coal said in a statement that the cumulative coal production for as of 25th August this financial year has increased to over 370 million tonnes, compared to over 346 million tonnes during the same period last year. Overall coal dispatch has also seen a substantial rise, reaching above 397 million tonnes. The Ministry added that this represents a commendable growth rate of 5.48 per cent compared to the previous year.

In terms of coal dispatch to the power sector, the cumulative total for this financial year amounts to nearly 326 million tonnes, compared to over 313 million tonnes for the corresponding period last year.

The overall coal stock position, including pitheads at mines, thermal power plants, and in transit, reached 121.57 million tonnes this year. This represents a substantial increase of over 36 per cent.