Coal supplies to power plants rise 36% from September lows; rail loading hits 465 rakes a day

 Coal India and its subsidiaries offered power plants with existing supply agreements the option to lift additional coal beyond their annual contracted quantities | Photo Credit: The Hindu

Daily coal supplies to the power sector have risen 36% from their post-monsoon lows in September and are averaging about 9% higher in October than in the preceding month, the government said on Friday, signalling an improvement in fuel availability for power generation.

Rail-based supplies have also been strengthened, with an average of 465 rakes dispatched daily in October, the government said, adding that road-based supplies had improved as well.

Last month, state-owned Coal India and its subsidiaries offered power plants with existing supply agreements the option to lift additional coal beyond their annual contracted quantities through road transport, supplementing their regular rail-based supplies.