New Delhi: Coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants fell much more slowly in the first 10 days of October than they did through September, the Ministry of Coal said on Monday. Between October 1 and 10, stocks declined by about 0.56 million tonnes (MT) in total, an average of about 0.06 MT a day. In September, they had fallen by about 7.28 MT over the month, or about 0.24 MT a day.
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“The pace of depletion has eased considerably in October compared to September,” the ministry said in a statement. It added that stocks had held above 18 MT since September 29. They stood at 18.932 MT that day and at 18.205 MT on October 10. Stocks also grew on two days in October, by 0.024 MT on October 2 and by 0.017 MT on October 10.
The ministry linked the steadier position to supply catching up with demand. “The stabilisation reflects coal supplies keeping pace with daily consumption at power plants,” it said. Plants with critical stocks remained under watch. According to the statement, supply to these plants was “being closely monitored, with requirement-based redistribution of coal to vulnerable stations to ensure adequate supplies and uninterrupted power generation.”
The ministry credited the railways for the change. “Higher rake loading has driven this improvement,” it said. Between October 1 and 10, an average of 469 rakes a day were loaded for the power sector. In September, the average was 426 a day, so October’s figure was about 10 percent higher. Daily loading in October ranged between 447 and 482 rakes.
As a result, the ministry said, actual coal supply to the power sector averaged 2.49 MT a day in October, up from 2.21 MT a day in September. That was above the supply plan of 2.37 MT a day. According to the statement, supply “exceeded the plan on nine of the 10 days.”
The ministry said it was working closely with Coal India Limited (CIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), the Ministry of Railways and power utilities. The aim of this coordination, according to the statement, was “to ensure sustained coal evacuation and supply, thereby maintaining adequate coal stocks at thermal power plants.”
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It closed the statement by thanking the railways. “The Ministry of Coal duly acknowledges and appreciates the continued support and professional commitment of Indian Railways in facilitating the efficient movement of coal,” the ministry said.