Coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants have remained above 18 million tonnes (MT) since September 29, 2026, as improved supplies and higher railway rake loading have slowed the pace of inventory depletion. According to the Ministry of Coal, stocks stood at 18.205 MT on October 10, compared with 18.932 MT on September 29.
The stabilisation indicates that coal supplies are increasingly keeping pace with daily consumption at power plants. Authorities are also closely monitoring stations with critically low inventories and redistributing coal according to their requirements to maintain adequate availability and support uninterrupted electricity generation.
Coal Stock Depletion Slows Significantly in October
Coal inventories at domestic power plants declined by approximately 7.28 MT during September 2026, averaging a depletion rate of around 0.24 MT per day.
However, the trend improved during the first ten days of October. Total coal stocks fell by only 0.56 MT over this period, bringing the average daily depletion rate down to approximately 0.06 MT.
Coal stock accretion was recorded on two days during October. Inventories increased by 0.024 MT on October 2 and by 0.017 MT on October 10, indicating that supplies exceeded consumption on those days.
The slower depletion rate suggests an improvement in the balance between coal availability and the requirements of thermal power plants.
Daily Coal Supply Rises as Railway Rake Loading Improves
Higher railway rake loading has been a key factor behind the improvement in coal availability. During October 1–10, an average of 469 coal rakes per day was supplied to the power sector, compared with 426 rakes per day in September.
This represents an increase of approximately 10% in daily rake loading.
During the first ten days of October, daily rake loading ranged between 447 and 482 rakes, supporting the movement of coal from production areas to power plants.
The increased transportation capacity has helped strengthen coal supplies and reduce pressure on plant inventories.
Average Daily Coal Supply Reaches 2.49 MT
The Ministry of Coal reported that average daily coal supplies to the power sector increased to 2.49 MT in October, compared with 2.21 MT in September.
Daily supplies during October 1–10 exceeded the planned level of 2.37 MT on nine out of ten days.
The improvement in supply volumes has helped moderate stock depletion despite continued coal consumption at power plants. Maintaining this balance will remain important to ensure adequate fuel availability, particularly at stations operating with limited inventories.
Ministry of Coal Coordinates With Railways and Power Utilities
The Ministry of Coal continues to coordinate with Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the Ministry of Railways and power utilities to maintain sustained coal evacuation and supply.
The coordination aims to ensure that coal reaches thermal power plants efficiently and that stations facing shortages receive supplies according to their operational requirements.
The ministry has also acknowledged the continued support and professional commitment of Indian Railways in facilitating the efficient movement of coal.
Stable Coal Inventories Remain Important for Power Generation
Coal remains a critical fuel for India’s thermal power generation, making adequate inventories and reliable transportation essential for maintaining electricity supplies.
The latest figures indicate that coal stocks have stabilised above 18 MT, while the pace of depletion has slowed considerably compared with September. Higher rake loading and increased average daily supplies have contributed to the improvement.
Continued monitoring of vulnerable power plants, efficient coal transportation and coordination among the relevant ministries and utilities will be important to sustain this trend.
Although the recent data points to improved supply conditions, maintaining adequate inventories will depend on coal dispatches continuing to meet consumption requirements across the power sector.
