Coal-stock depletion slows as rail deliveries to power plants rise
Coal stocks stood at 18.205 million tonnes on 10 October; the latest ministry figures show slower depletion, rather than a full recovery.
Coal inventories at domestic coal-fired power plants remained above 18 million tonnes through 10 October, while their rate of decline eased as rail deliveries increased, the coal ministry said in an update issued on 12 October.
Stocks stood at 18.205 million tonnes on 10 October, compared with 18.932 million tonnes on 29 September. During October’s first ten days, inventories fell by about 0.56 million tonnes, against a decline of roughly 7.28 million tonnes across September. The figures indicate slower depletion, not a return to the earlier stock level.
Average railway loading for the power sector rose to 469 rakes a day in 1–10 October from 426 in September. Coal supplies averaged 2.49 million tonnes daily, above the October plan of 2.37 million tonnes, according to the ministry.
Officials said vulnerable stations were being monitored and coal redistributed according to need. That qualification matters: a national inventory total does not establish that every plant has an adequate buffer.
The update is dated 12 October, but its latest stock figure relates to 10 October. It should not be read as a real-time measurement of today’s inventories or a guarantee against local electricity disruptions.