The Centre is prioritising advanced coal evacuation infrastructure, with a sharp focus on accelerating silo loading systems across key mining belts. In a recent high-level review meeting, the Coal and Mines Ministry and the Ministry of Railways outlined strategies to enhance the efficiency, quality, and reliability of coal transport from pitheads to thermal power plants nationwide.
The meeting, chaired jointly by senior Union Ministers, focused on expanding silo-based loading mechanisms—seen as a transformative upgrade to India’s coal logistics network. These mechanised systems not only streamline operations but also reduce operational setbacks caused by weather disruptions, a common concern during India’s intense monsoon season.Silo loading eliminates manual loading challenges, enables consistent coal sizing, and mitigates frequent complaints from power producers about the presence of oversized boulders in consignments. The infrastructure shift also helps prevent damage to rail wagons, increases turnaround time, and significantly boosts reliability in coal evacuation during peak demand periods.
According to data shared during the meeting, coal loading through silos has seen steady growth, increasing from 18.8 per cent in FY 2022–23 to 29 per cent by mid-2025. This trajectory signals a decisive shift towards digitised and weather-resilient logistics architecture.The ministries also reviewed ongoing and upcoming silo expansion projects across key coal-producing states. The discussions emphasised the importance of inter-ministerial coordination—between coal, railways, and power sectors—to ensure seamless movement of coal to thermal stations, especially during high-demand seasons.
As per the Railway Ministry, coal stock at thermal power plants currently stands at a record 61.3 million tonnes, enough to meet 25 days of national consumption. This buffer provides not only a cushion against summer power surges but also critical assurance during monsoon months, when coal mining and transportation typically face challenges due to heavy rainfall and flood-prone terrain.Officials noted that the current stock level is among the highest recorded in recent years and is a direct result of streamlined logistics, proactive capacity planning, and pre-monsoon preparedness.
The push for silo-based evacuation also aligns with broader environmental and operational goals. Mechanised coal handling reduces particulate emissions associated with open loading, shortens dwell times at loading points, and contributes to safer working conditions. From an infrastructure perspective, it reflects the Centre’s resolve to modernise the backbone of its energy supply chain while addressing persistent concerns around air pollution, equipment damage, and supply bottlenecks.As India moves towards integrating more renewable energy sources, coal continues to be the primary driver of base load generation. Efficient and sustainable coal logistics, therefore, remain a critical enabler for national energy security—even as the long-term transition to clean energy unfolds.
Going forward, the Centre’s strategy is expected to focus not only on infrastructure build-out but also on digitisation, predictive analytics, and modular loading solutions that respond dynamically to plant-level demand.
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