New Delhi, June 1 (Agency) Amidst rising temperature and demand for electricity, the government on Saturday said, coal stocks at Thermal Power Plants continue to be more than 45 MT, which is 30 per cent higher compared to last year. The stocks are sufficient to meet the requirement of 19 days. During the month of May, 2024, average daily depletion at Thermal Power Plant end was only 10,000 tonnes per day. This has been made possible by ensuring smooth and adequate logistical arrangements for the supply of coal.
The mechanism of the sub-group, comprising representatives from the Ministry of Power, the Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Railways and Power Generating companies is playing an effective role in maintaining an efficient supply chain, an official statement said. Coal production growth is more than 8 per cent over last year. The stock at the mine pithead is over 100 MT, resulting in adequate coal for the power sector. The Ministry of Railways has ensured a 9 percent average growth in the daily availability of railway rakes. Evacuation through costal shipping has also seen significant growth, as traditionally coal was being transported via Paradip port only.
Now, under proper coordination as per coal logistics policy, it has resulted in the evacuation of coal through Dhamra and Gangavaran ports as well. The infrastructural augmentation in the railway network has significantly contributed to the faster movement of rakes from Son Nagar to Dadri. Therefore, it has seen more than 100 per cent improvement in turnaround time. The Ministry of Coal is geared up to ensure adequate availability of coal at thermal power plants during the monsoon season. It is expected that on July 1, 2024, more than 42 MT of coal would be kept available at Thermal thermal Plant end, the government said.