Coal India sees sharp recovery in production, power-sector supplies as rainfall eases

CIL’s average daily coal production rose by 35 per cent, from around 1.36 million tonnes (MT) during the first three rain-affected days of September to approximately 1.83 MT on September 6, 2026.

The improvement comes as mining conditions gradually recover and affected transportation routes and working areas are restored.

The increase in production was led by CIL’s subsidiaries. During the same period, average daily production at Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) rose by around 61 per cent, from 0.18 MT to 0.29 MT, while production at South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) increased by 33 per cent, from 0.15 MT to 0.20 MT.

The recovery in production is translating into higher dispatches, with coal supplies to the power sector witnessing a clear pickup.

Average daily coal dispatch to the power sector increased by 24 per cent, from around 1.37 MT during the first three days of September to 1.7 MT on September 6.

During the same period, power-sector dispatches at NCL increased by 56 per cent, from 0.18 MT to 0.28 MT, while SECL recorded a 23 per cent rise, from 0.30 MT to 0.37 MT.

The improvement in production is also being supported by a substantial increase in overburden removal (OBR), an important indicator of coal exposure and future production readiness.

Average daily OBR more than doubled from 2.5 million cubic metres (MCuM) during the first three days of September to 5.1 MCuM on September 6. OBR increased fourfold at NCL and more than threefold at SECL during the same period.

Resources have been reallocated and remobilised to full deployment strength to accelerate overburden removal and expose additional coal.

Lower-horizon coal seams are also gradually being brought back into operation through continuous dewatering. Mines that had been operating under geotechnical constraints during the monsoon are now reopening as dry spells return and working areas expand.

Another significant improvement has been the availability of dry working benches and dry raw coal. With reduced moisture and stickiness, the coal has better free-flowing characteristics, facilitating smoother handling and transportation.

CIL is also taking additional measures to strengthen supplies to power plants, particularly critical plants receiving coal through washery and Rail-cum-Road (RCR) modes.

Coal is being offered beyond the Monthly Scheduled Quantity (MSQ) to interested Central and State power generation companies (Gencos) and independent power producers (IPPs) for road-mode lifting.

Lifting of coal against Delivery Orders issued to critical power plants in road mode is also being prioritised.

The improvement in coal movement is visible across several mining areas. Haul roads and coal transportation routes affected by heavy rainfall are being strengthened continuously across CIL’s mines.

The impact of these measures became evident following the reduction in rainfall from September 3 onwards.

With production, overburden removal and power-sector dispatches all showing a strong upward trend, CIL is focusing on consolidating the recovery and further strengthening coal supplies.

The improving trend in September provides a positive outlook for CIL’s production and dispatches, with supplies to power plants gradually moving towards pre-monsoon levels.