India has enough coal for 88 days as demand set to surge, says govt

India is 'ready for any unprecedented demand for coal' with a total stock of about 210 million metric tons, which would be adequate for about 88 days of demand, the coal ministry said in a statement

India is "ready for any unprecedented demand for coal" with a total stock of about 210 million metric tons, which would be adequate for about 88 days of demand, the coal ministry said in a statement

The coal ministry said, "The overall coal stock available in the country is about 210 MT, which would be adequate for about 88 days."

According to the ministry, "This year the coal production and supply continue to be higher than consumption, resulting in record high coal stocks at thermal power plants and coal mines. Further, the supply to the Non-Regulated Sector has been higher than the previous year by almost 14%."

Coal stock at the mines of Coal India Limited stood at 106.78 MT on April 1, 2025, and increased to 121.39 MT as of March 9, 2026.

The ministry said there is also around 6.07 MT of coal at the mines of Singareni Collieries Company Limited, another 15.12 MT at captive and commercial mines, and about 14 MT in transit. Combined, this brings the total coal stock at the mine end to a record 156.58 MT.

This stock is in addition to coal already available at thermal power plants. The ministry said power plants had around 54.05 MT of coal as on March 9, 2026, which is sufficient for nearly 24 days at the current rate of consumption.

Overall, the ministry said, "The overall coal stock available in the country is about 210 MT, which would be adequate for about 88 days."

Coal production across the country continues at the same pace, the ministry said, helping build stocks at mines to ensure adequate supply to consumers, with logistical support from Indian Railways.