Coal loading to power sector rises to 444 rakes, up 20% in four days
Coal loading to India’s power sector climbed to 444 rakes per day on September 6, up 20% from September 3, as Coal India, SCCL and captive miners stepped up supplies
Rake loading has increased from 370 rakes per day on September 3 to 444 rakes per day on September 6, an addition of 74 rakes per day, or about 20%, over the four-day period.
NEW DELHI: Coal loading to the power sector rose to 444 rakes per day on September 6, marking a steady improvement for the fourth consecutive day as coal producers stepped up supplies to thermal power plants.
The Ministry of Coal in a statement said on Monday that the improvement reflects sustained efforts by Coal India Limited (CIL), its subsidiaries, Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and captive mine operators to ramp up coal supply to the power sector.
Rake loading has increased from 370 rakes per day on September 3 to 444 rakes per day on September 6, an addition of 74 rakes per day, or about 20%, over the four-day period.
The day-wise increase has been consistent:
- September 3: 370 rakes/day
- September 4: 387 rakes/day, up 17
- September 5: 413 rakes/day, up 26
- September 6: 444 rakes/day, up 31
The latest single-day increase of 31 rakes was the highest during the four-day period.
MCL records sharpest improvement
Nearly all coal-producing companies recorded higher rake loading on September 6 compared with the previous day.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) registered the largest single-day increase, with loading rising by 12 rakes to 111 rakes per day.
Captive block loading increased by six rakes to 72 rakes per day, while Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) recorded an eight-rake increase to 25 rakes per day.
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) increased loading by three rakes to 35 rakes per day. Private Washery and Goodsheds also recorded a three-rake increase, reaching 42 rakes per day.
Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) recorded increases of two and one rake respectively, taking their loading to 36 and 46 rakes per day.
Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) and Western Coalfields Limited (WCL) maintained their previous day’s loading at 23 and 29 rakes per day respectively.
Overall, CIL siding loading increased to 305 rakes per day on September 6, up by 26 rakes from the previous day.
Critical thermal plants under watch
The Ministry of Coal is also closely monitoring thermal power plants classified as critical, where coal stocks are below 25% of the normative requirement.
Corrective coal supply measures are being implemented to ease the position at these plants. The Ministry and Coal India have said they remain committed to sustaining the improvement in rake loading and meeting the requirements of the power sector.
The sustained rise in daily rake loading comes amid continued efforts to strengthen coal availability at thermal power plants, with the latest figures indicating a significant improvement in the movement of coal to the power sector over the past four days.
