India achieves 1 billion tonne coal production for second consecutive year: Coal Ministry

The country has successfully achieved the landmark of 1 billion tonne (BT) coal production on March 20 for the second year in a row, according to an official press release issued by the Ministry of Coal.
With the sustained and coordinated efforts across the coal sector and the invaluable contribution of all stakeholders, this significant milestone underscores India's growing self-reliance in the energy sector and its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to key industries.
This enhanced and sustained coal production level has enabled the country to effectively meet rising energy demands while supporting the power sector in maintaining record-high coal stock levels at coal-based thermal power plants, the release said.
The achievement reflects robust planning, efficient execution, and strengthened coordination across the coal value chain, thereby contributing meaningfully to the nation's economic growth trajectory.
The Ministry of Coal continues to remain steadfast in its commitment to fostering a stable, transparent, and performance-driven ecosystem. Through proactive policy interventions, rigorous performance monitoring, and close engagement with stakeholders, the Ministry is ensuring reliable coal availability and seamless operations across sectors.
Aligned with the national vision of "Viksit Bharat 2047," these efforts reinforce the Government's resolve to build a resilient energy framework, enhance domestic production capabilities, and drive sustainable economic development. (ANI)

Coal central to reliable baseload power

According to a Ministry of Coal official statement released on Thursday, coal remains central to providing reliable baseload power, particularly for core sectors such as steel and cement, which are critical drivers of the country's economic growth.
The government had highlighted that domestic coal production is being maintained in line with rising demand, alongside efforts to build sufficient stockpiles at mine-heads to ensure steady supply to consumers. This is being supported by coordinated logistics, including enhanced rail movement.
Coal stockpiles have witnessed a notable increase over the past year. Pithead stocks at Coal India Limited (CIL) rose from 106.78 million tonnes (MT) on April 1, 2025, to around 125.54 MT as of March 18, 2026. Additional reserves include approximately 5.75 MT at Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) mines, 15.75 MT at captive and commercial mines, about 12 MT in transit, and 5.49 MT at ports and sidings.
These reserves are supplemented by around 53.41 MT of coal available at thermal power plants, which is sufficient for nearly 23 days at current consumption levels.
To ensure availability across sectors, CIL has ramped up supply-side interventions, including conducting e-auctions. In March 2026, the company planned 29 e-auctions offering approximately 23.56 MT of coal. Five auctions conducted since March 12 saw 73.1 lakh tonnes offered, of which 31.96 lakh tonnes were successfully booked, reflecting adequate availability.
In addition, coal supplies to small and medium consumers are being facilitated through the State Nominated Agencies (SNA) mechanism. The Centre has urged states to project additional requirements, assuring that demand can be fully met to prevent shortages. Coal offtake under this route is being closely monitored to maintain an uninterrupted supply.

(With inputs from ANI)