Coal Production Sees Robust 27% Surge From Captive, Commercial Mines

The ministry emphasised that these endeavours align with the government's vision of fostering self-reliance and championing the 'Make in India' campaign

The cumulative coal production and dispatch from both captive and commercial mines in the country experienced a notable surge in the period spanning from April 1, 2023, to February 29, 2024. According to data disclosed by the Coal Ministry on Saturday, the figures stood at 126.80 million tonnes and 128.88 million tonnes, respectively, representing an impressive growth of 27.06 per cent and 29.14 per cent compared to the corresponding period in the prior year. 

This notable upswing in coal production underscores the enhanced efficiency and robust logistics network, crucial for fortifying India's energy security and diminishing its dependency on imported coal. The ministry emphasised that these endeavours align with the government's vision of fostering self-reliance and championing the 'Make in India' campaign. 

The surge in production can be attributed to the successful implementation of government policy reforms, particularly the transparent e-auctioning of commercial mines. As of February 29, the total number of operational mines tallied 54, with 35 earmarked for the power sector, 11 for the non-regulated sector, and eight designated for coal sales in the open market. 

Furthermore, 91 mines have been successfully auctioned under commercial coal auctions, with seven mines already in the coal production phase. Notably, the coal production and dispatch figures for February 2024 reached 14.85 million tonnes (MT) and 12.95 MT, respectively, witnessing a substantial increase of 37 per cent and 33 per cent compared to the same month in the financial year 2022-23. 

The average daily coal production and dispatch rate stood at 5.12 lakh tonnes and 4.46 lakh tonnes, respectively, underscoring consistent performance. The Coal Ministry emphasised its commitment to sustaining this growth trajectory and highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline operations and fortify infrastructure to meet the escalating energy demands of the nation in the coming years.