'Reducing dependence on imported coal priority of govt'

Construction of Eastern Dedicated Freight Corridor will ensure adequate supply: Coal secy

- 

AMID coal shortage in 2022, the government struggled to ensure adequate supplies to power companies, necessitating supply curbs

to other sectors. However, 2023 turned out to be a good year for coal production, with output rising 12.33% to 702.50 MT during 2023-24 (till Jan 6, 2024). Coal ministry has achieved 70% of its annual target in nine months. Rakesh Kumar of The New Indian Express caught up with coal secretary Amrit Lal Meena to discuss coal availability amid surge in power demand, dealing with transportation bottlenecks and exploring new markets for imports. Edited excerpts:

 How are we placed now as far as availability of coal in the country is concerned?

The ministry’s measures such as raising domestic production and promoting alternative energy sources play a pivotal role in ensuring a stable power supply. Coal output during 2023-24 (till Jan 6) is 702.50 MT. There is a 12.33% growth against production of 625.40 MT in the same period last year. We have achieved 70% of our annual target in just nine months.

In terms of supplies, 725.06 MT has been supplied in 2024 as against 653.12 MT during the same period last year, a growth of about 11.1%. Supply to the power sector for the period April 2023 to January 6, 2024, is 603.71 MT as against 558.60 MT during the same period of last year, with a growth of 8.08%.

The average daily rake availability growth in 2023-24 (up to Jan 3, 2024) is over 8% as against the same period of previous year. Supply to the nonregulated sector (NRS) for the period April 2023 to January 6, 2024, is 121.35 MT as against 94.52 MT during the same period last year, a growth of 28.38% due to availability.