Coal Ministry

Kishan Reddy flags off Secunderabad-Vasco Da Gama biweekly express

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy flagged off the Secunderabad-Vasco Da Gama inaugural Express at the Secunderabad railway station here on Sunday. Pointing to the long pending demand for an exclusive train to Goa from Hyderabad, he said the express train to Vasco Da Gama is being operated from Secunderabad twice a week, fulfilling people's wishes. The service provides travel options for the people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to visit Goa and it also caters to the requirements of those who wish to travel to major cities of Karnataka like Ballari, Hospet, Hubbali and Dharwad, he said. Highlighting railway development works in Telangana, Reddy said the Secunderabad railway station is being redeveloped with world-class standards at an estimated cost of Rs 700 crores and that the works are expected to be completed by the end of 2025. The Secunderabad station stands second after the New Delhi railway station in operating the highest number of Vande Bharat Express services,

Coal imports rise marginally by 0.9% to 90.51 MT in Apr-Jul of FY25

There is a "critical need" for coal imports, and the country has reported a marginal rise of 0.9 per cent to 90.51 mt in the April-July period of FY25, according to an official statement. India, which has the fifth-largest coal reserves in the world, is also its second-largest consumer, driven by a rapidly growing economy, Ministry of Coal said on Wednesday. Coal production during the April-July FY25 period increased 9.56 per cent to 321.40 MT from 293.35 MT in FY24. "However, the current consumption landscape reveals a critical need for imports, particularly for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, which are not sufficiently available within domestic reserves. This shortfall necessitates imports to support key industries, including steel," it said. According to the ministry, coal imports during April-July period of FY25 reported a marginal increase of 0.9 per cent, reaching 90.51 million tonnes (MT) level compared to 89.68 MT in the previous year. While the non-coking coal ..

Coal supply to power sector falls 5.4% to 58.07 mn tonnes in August

Coal supply to the power sector in August dropped 5.4 per cent to 58.07 million tonnes (MT) as compared to the year-ago period, according to an official statement on Tuesday. The supply of coal to the power sector was 61.43 MT in August of the previous fiscal year. "In August 2024, the supply to the power sector was 58.07 MT, slightly lower than the 61.43 MT recorded in August 2023," the coal ministry said in a statement. Coal supply to the power sector remains a key priority, the ministry said. Between April and August this fiscal year, supply to the power sector reached 338.75 MT, registering a growth of 4.13 per cent over the 325.33 MT supplied during the year-ago period. In terms of coal supply across the country during the April to August 2024, it stood at 412.69 MT, with an increase of 5.17 per cent compared to 392.40 MT during the corresponding period of the last financial year. In August, however, coal supply fell slightly to 69.94 MT, compared to 75.19 MT in August of t

NLC India aims to start early mining of Odisha's Machhakata coal block

State-owned NLC India Ltd is aiming to start the mining of Machhakata coal block in Odisha ahead of schedule. Machhakata coal block is the second commercial coal block and the biggest among the NLCIL's mining projects. NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) had emerged as the successful bidder for Machhakata (Revised) coal block in Angul district of Odisha under the commercial coal block e-auction held in July. The Machhakata coal block, having reserves of 1.4 billion tonnes (BT), with average Grade of G10-G11, and capacity of 30 MTPA, is expected to be one among the top five biggest mines in the country, NLCIL said in a statement. "NLCIL aims to commence the mining ahead of schedule. This marks another milestone towards realising NLCIL's Corporate Plan 2030," the statement added. Machhakata Coal Block's vesting order was issued on Thursday. The company had earlier said that it is committed to its capacity addition in line with its vision of achieving more than 100 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)

Coal production increases by 6.69% to 74.07 mn tonnes in July: Govt

India's coal output rose by 6.69 per cent year-on-year to 74.07 million tonnes (MT) in July, the government said on Thursday. The country's coal production was 69.42 MT in the corresponding month of previous fiscal, the coal ministry said in a statement. Cumulative coal dispatch witnessed a significant boost in July 2024, touching 79.54 MT, compared to 76.05 MT recorded in July 2023, registering a growth rate of 4.58 per cent. In a separate statement, the ministry said that vesting orders were issued for 10 strategically important coal mines, marking a significant advancement in the nation's coal production capabilities. This initiative, which includes one fully explored and nine partially explored mines, is set to enhance energy security and drive economic growth across the states of Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh, it said. Coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy urged the successful bidders to focus on increasing coal production and reducing imports.

Coal production from captive, commercial coal mines grow by 35% in Apr-Jun

The government on Wednesday said that coal production from the captive and commercial coal mines grew by 35 per cent to 39.53 million tonnes (MT) in the first quarter of this fiscal. The coal production from captive and commercial coal mines was 29.26 MT in the first quarter of FY24. "Similarly, dispatch has shown a growth of 34.25 per cent YoY, from 34.07 MT in Q1 of FY24 to 45.68 MT in Q1 of FY25," the coal ministry said in a statement. The coal output for the power sector has seen a substantial increase, rising from 25.02 MT in the first quarter of last year to 30.16 MT in the first quarter of this year, marking a 20.5 per cent year-on-year growth. The government said that it remains firmly committed to assisting all coal block allottees to overcome challenges and optimise their operations. The primary goal of the coal ministry is to significantly augment coal production, ensuring a consistent and reliable supply to meet the nations' escalating energy needs. "Through collabora

'Growth in coal imports down from over 21% to below 2.5% in last decade'

The government on Friday said the annual growth in India's coal imports has declined to just 2.49 per cent in the past decade until FY24 as the country moves towards becoming self-reliant in energy security. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of coal imports from 2004-05 to 2013-14 stood significantly at 21.48 per cent. However, the CAGR of coal import from 2014-15 to 2023-24 stood at 2.49 per cent only, the coal ministry said in a statement. "Moreover, CAGR of imported coal share stood at 13.94 per cent during the period from fiscal year 2004-05 to 2013-14 while the same figure plummeted to around -2.29 per cent" during the last decade, it said. With strategic focus on optimising indigenous coal resources and leveraging innovative technological solutions, India continues its journey towards self-reliance in energy security of the nation, the statement said. India, endowed with the fifth-largest coal reserves globally, stands as the second-largest consumer of dry fuel, it adde

Union Minister Reddy launches 10th round of commercial coal mine auction

The move will enhance domestic coal production and ensure energy security for the nation, according to an official statement from the Ministry of Coal

Modi govt 3.0 Cabinet: G Kishan Reddy gets coals and mines ministry

With the sector witnessing huge demand, it will be crucial for Reddy to navigate Centre-state relations in mineral mining and build international relations for the critical minerals supply chain

Sampling, grading of coal at 427 mines completed; to be applicable for FY24

The coal ministry on Wednesday said it has completed the annual exercise of sampling and grading of coal at 427 mines and the new fuel grade will be applicable from April 1 this year. Of the total 427 mines, 331 are central public sector units, 69 under state governments and 27 private sector mines, the coal ministry said in a statement. "To ensure the correctness of the grade, the samples drawn were analyzed in two different labs," it added. The ministry further said, the process of "declaration of annual grading of seams of mines as per laid down procedure has been completed" and the declared grade will be applicable with effect from April 1, 2024. The Coal Controller's Organisation (CCO), having its field offices at Dhanbad, Ranchi, Bilaspur, Nagpur, Sambalpur, and Kothagudem, carried out the exercise of drawing the coal samples and its analysis from coal and lignite mines for the ongoing financial year. CCO, a subordinate office of the coal ministry, lays down the procedure an

Coal, lignite production hits all-time high of 1 bn tonnes in FY24: Joshi

The country has for the first time crossed the milestone of 1 billion tonnes of coal and lignite production in the financial year 2023-24, Union Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Monday. India's total coal and lignite output was at 937 million tonnes (MT) in the preceding 2022-23 fiscal, as per official figures. "Proud to share that under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi, we have registered a stellar achievement by crossing 1 billion tonne (BT) coal and lignite production," Joshi said. It is a historic moment for India as the country has achieved the highest-ever production, and it will go a long way in ensuring energy security to the nation. The continuous efforts to increase domestic coal production has ensured that going forward the country will never have to face coal shortage, the minister said. Joshi further said, "I thank the officials of the sector, all the coal warriors and private miners for their grit and hard work in helping achieve mission-1BT. Owing to y

Summer ready: Railways draws up plan to ease coal transportation

The ministry will rely extensively on EDFC between Punjab and Bihar

Ministries test the AI waters: Try out use cases in bid to reduce workload

'A case study is being carried out across ministries by a dedicated wing which consists of experts to figure out the AI use cases under AI mission,' a senior government official said

Coal PSUs must plan pithead-based thermal projects, says Coal Secy Meena

The Coal Ministry has asked Coal India Ltd and NLC India Ltd to go for pithead-based thermal projects with an aim to reduce transportation cost and improve availability of dry fuel, a top government official said. The plan is that all new thermal projects of Coal India Ltd (CIL) and NLC India Ltd should come up near the coal mines, Coal Secretary Amrit Lal Meena told PTI. This will reduce the dependence on transportation, which is mostly through rail and road, and make the coal accessible for usage in power generation, he said, while replying to a question on new projects of coal PSUs, the official said. The move will also reduce logistics cost and cost of power generation, he said, listing the benefits of a pithead-based unit. Coal India has signed an agreement with Rajasthan Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (RUVNL) for a joint venture to set up 4,100 megawatt of power generation capacity in Rajasthan, Meena said. Of this 1,725 MW will be pithead-based capacity, 200 MW pumped storage, 50 win

Ministry to ensure 874 mn tonne coal supply for power sector in FY25: Joshi

The coal ministry is geared up to meet 874 million tonnes of anticipated coal demand for the power sector in 2024-25, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. For the financial year ending March 31, the Power Ministry had placed a requirement of 821 million tonnes, Joshi told PTI on the sidelines of the release of the 'PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in Coal Sector' booklet. Their (power ministry's) demand has been met. They had asked for 821 million tonnes and it has been supplied, the Minister said. "For FY25, the power ministry has asked for 874 million tonnes of coal. We will fulfil this requirement also. We are going to cross 1 billion tonne coal production by this March," he said. The share of imported coal for blending purposes has gone down this fiscal compared to last financial year, Joshi said. In FY24, coal import for blending was around 22.20 million tonnes, while it was at 30.80 million tonnes in the financial year 2022-23, he said. Savings to the tune of

Coal ministry will fulfill 874 mn tonnes coal requirement in FY25: Min

The coal ministry is geared up to fulfill the 874 million tonnes coal demand for the power sector in financial year 2024-25, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi said on Wednesday. For the financial year ending March 31, the Power Ministry had placed a requirement of 821 million tonnes, Joshi told PTI on the sidelines of the release of 'PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan in Coal Sector' booklet. Their (power ministry's) demand has been met. They had asked for 821 million tonnes and it has been supplied, the Minister said. "For FY25, the power ministry has asked for 874 million tonnes of coal. We will fulfill this requirement also. We are going to cross 1 billion tonne coal production by this March," he said. The share of imported coal for blending purposes has gone down this fiscal compared to last financial year, Joshi said. In FY24, coal import for blending was around 22.20 million tonnes, while it was at 30.80 million tonnes in the financial year 2022-23, he said. Savings to the tune

Results of 9th round of coal auctions may be announced within two weeks

As many as 32 coal mines were put into action in the 9th round

Govt banks on coal to power nation in summer; peak demand may cross 265 Gw

The government is expecting a major share of the load to fall on coal-based power to meet demand and is boosting coal supply at all ends

Coal India production hits record 703.91 MT this fiscal until March 7

Production of Coal India Ltd hit a record 703.91 million tonnes (MT) in this fiscal until March 7, surpassing the last fiscal's output of 703.20 MT, the Coal Ministry said on Friday. Highlighting that several key measures were implemented to enhance production, the ministry said Coal India maintains an ample stock of 72.70 MT as of 7th March 2024. "Coal India Limited (CIL) has achieved a record production of 703.91 million tonnes of coal up to 7th March 2024 during the current fiscal, surpassing last financial year's production of 703.20 MT by an impressive margin of 26 days," the ministry said in a release. Adoption of the Mine Developer and Operator model, mechanization and modernization of CIL mines, both Underground & Opencast, undertaking new projects, expanding existing projects, have bolstered coal production, it said. The ministry in a separate release stated that the domestic coal sector registered a growth of 10.2 per cent in January. The index of the coal industry ...

WBPDCL not debarred illegally to participate in auctions: Coal Ministry

The Centre on Monday refuted media reports that West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited was illegally barred by the Coal Ministry from participating in an auction for coal mines located in West Bengal. "An article has been published in a section of media alleging that the Union Government illegally barred West Bengal from coal auctions, benefiting a corporate. "It is alleged that the Coal Ministry disqualified West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL) from participating in the auction of West Bengal-based coal mines considering WBPDCL as a prior allottee and has not paid additional levy within the prescribed time," the Ministry of Coal said in a statement. The allegations made in the article are incorrect and baseless, the ministry said. Coal mines are allocated through auction to government and private companies and through allotment only to government companies, it added. As per Section 4(4) of the Coal Mines (Special Provision) Act, if the prior allot