Indias Coal Reserves Hit Record 58.25 Million Tonnes
India’s thermal power sector has reached a milestone with coal stocks at power plants climbing to an all-time high of 58.25 million tonnes—enough to sustain 25 days of consumption—largely due to the rapid expansion of silo-based coal loading by Indian Railways. The development comes ahead of the monsoon season, when coal logistics typically face severe weather-related disruptions.
This significant achievement was revealed following a high-level review meeting between Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The two ministers examined coal transport efficiency and assessed the progress of ongoing and proposed silo loading infrastructure projects across major coalfields. The meeting stressed the need for continued inter-ministerial coordination to ensure faster, safer, and more reliable coal movement from mines to power plants. Silo loading, a mechanised process that allows direct coal transfer from silos to railway wagons, has emerged as a game-changer in India’s energy logistics. It has improved consistency in coal quality, eliminated problems of oversized boulders, and reduced damage to rail wagons—an issue that plagued older loading systems. Additionally, silo systems function efficiently regardless of weather, offering a reliable buffer against the impact of seasonal rains on coal transport.
The share of coal loaded through silos has grown substantially in recent years—from just 18.8% in 2022–23 to 29% so far in the current financial year (2025–26). This increase demonstrates a strategic and sustained push by both the Coal and Railways ministries to overhaul India’s coal evacuation framework and support thermal power plants with steady supply. Officials at the meeting noted that the all-time high coal reserve is particularly critical as the country braces for the upcoming monsoon. During these months, both mining and transportation face operational constraints due to flooding and track disruptions. A stockpile of this magnitude allows the power sector to operate uninterrupted, ensuring grid stability and protecting against blackouts during seasonal demand spikes.
Beyond operational convenience, this record reserve is also being viewed as a major stride toward energy security. With rising power consumption across industrial, residential, and agricultural sectors, a robust fuel supply chain is key to sustaining economic growth. By eliminating supply bottlenecks and improving turnaround time through silo loading, the government aims to safeguard electricity reliability across the country. The ministers also reviewed new silo construction projects that are currently in different phases of development across key coal-producing states like Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Madhya Pradesh. These facilities are expected to further scale up India’s loading capacity and contribute to long-term improvements in coal supply logistics.
This coordinated push aligns with India’s broader goal of modernising its energy infrastructure, while reducing inefficiencies that historically led to power plant outages due to fuel shortages. With this new level of coal inventory and logistical resilience, the stage is set for a more stable power scenario in both immediate and future timelines.
