Rlys to run more coal rakes to avert summer power crisis

Average number of rakes deployed is expected to rise to 470 a day from 440 rakes last year

- Rituraj Baruah

As India braces for a hotter-than-normal summer, the railway ministry is set to increase the availability of rail rakes for coal transportation in FY26.

The average number of rakes deployed is expected to rise to 470 daily from last year's 440, said two people in the know of the matter. One rake, comprising several wagons, can transport around 4,000 tonnes of coal. Railways serves as the primary mode of transportation for the fuel.

"Currently, around 415 rakes are transporting coal daily for power generation. With projections of high demand going ahead, there is largely a consensus that 469-470 rakes would be required in FY26, which the Indian Railways would provide," said one of the two people mentioned above.

The ministries of power, coal and railways have been discussing the availability of coal and the logistics required to meet the anticipated surge in demand. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) has projected peak power demand to reach 270GW this summer—significantly higher than last year's record 250GW.