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October 10, 2026 - India’s coal supply network is showing signs of recovery following September’s difficulties, with stronger deliveries helping ease pressure on thermal power stations ahead of festive and winter electricity demand. According to the Coal Ministry, daily coal deliveries to the power sector have climbed approximately 36% from September’s low. Average supplies during October are running about 9% above September levels.
The improvement is reducing the gap between coal deliveries and consumption. Power stations are drawing down inventories at approximately 116,000 metric tons per day this month, compared with 243,000 metric tons per day in September. Although stocks are still declining, the slower rate indicates that supply conditions are becoming more stable.
Rail transportation has contributed to the recovery. October coal loading is averaging more than 465 train rakes daily, up from September’s average of 426. Loading met or exceeded the ministry’s 470-rake target on October 4, 5 and 6, while deliveries by road and other transportation modes also improved.
Despite these gains, rebuilding reserves remains a priority. Central Electricity Authority figures for October 7 showed that 107 of 191 monitored thermal power stations held five days or less of coal. That group included 97 stations located away from mines and 10 pithead plants. Another 69 stations had between six and 15 days of supply, while 15 held more than 15 days.
The ministry emphasized that a plant’s designation as having critically low stocks serves as an early warning for supply coordination. The classification does not, by itself, indicate that a station has exhausted its fuel or faces an immediate shutdown.
Authorities are monitoring vulnerable plants and directing coal deliveries according to their requirements to help maintain electricity generation.
As monsoon conditions ease, the ministry expects sustained rail loading of roughly 465–475 rakes per day to help bring inventories into balance and eventually allow reserves to recover. Seasonal patterns also suggest peak electricity demand could moderate by mid-October.
India’s Coal, Railways and Power ministries are coordinating efforts to strengthen fuel reserves for the festive season, winter and the following summer.
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