New Delhi: Coal India Limited (CIL) has stepped up coal production and supplies to the power sector as rainfall recedes across its mining regions, with average daily output rising 35% between September 1–3 and September 6, 2026.
CIL’s average daily production increased from around 1.36 million tonnes (MT) during the first three rain-affected days of September to approximately 1.83 MT on September 6. The recovery follows improved mining conditions and the restoration of transportation routes and working areas affected by heavy rainfall.
Production Recovery Led by Key Subsidiaries
The improvement was driven in part by stronger production at CIL subsidiaries Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) and South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL).
Production increase between September 1–3 and September 6:
- NCL: Up 61%, from 0.18 MT to 0.29 MT per day
- SECL: Up 33%, from 0.15 MT to 0.20 MT per day
- CIL overall: Up 35%, from 1.36 MT to 1.83 MT per day
Power Sector Coal Dispatch Rises 24%
The improvement in production has translated into higher coal movement to power plants.
Average daily dispatch to the power sector increased 24%, from around 1.37 MT during September 1–3 to 1.7 MT on September 6.
The subsidiary-wise improvement was also significant:
- NCL: Power-sector dispatch rose 56%, from 0.18 MT to 0.28 MT per day
- SECL: Dispatch increased 23%, from 0.30 MT to 0.37 MT per day
CIL is also offering coal beyond the Monthly Scheduled Quantity (MSQ) to interested central and state generating companies and independent power producers for road-mode lifting.
Overburden Removal Doubles as Mines Recover
Another indicator of improving mining conditions is the sharp rise in Overburden Removal (OBR), which helps expose coal seams for future production.
Average daily OBR more than doubled from 2.5 million cubic metres (MCuM) during September 1–3 to 5.1 MCuM on September 6.
The increase was particularly pronounced at NCL and SECL:
- NCL: OBR increased fourfold
- SECL: OBR increased more than threefold
- CIL overall: Average daily OBR rose from 2.5 MCuM to 5.1 MCuM
Dry Weather Improves Mining Operations
The easing of rainfall has allowed CIL to restore mining areas and transportation routes affected during the monsoon.
Resources have been redeployed to strengthen overburden removal, while continuous dewatering is helping bring lower-horizon coal seams back into operation.
The return of dry working benches and drier raw coal is also improving material handling. Lower moisture and reduced stickiness are enabling smoother movement of coal through mining and transportation systems.
Focus on Critical Power Plants
CIL is taking additional steps to maintain supplies to power plants, particularly those receiving coal through Washery and Rail-Cum-Road (RCR) modes.
The company said it is prioritising road-mode lifting against Delivery Orders issued to critical power plants and offering additional coal beyond scheduled quantities to eligible central and state generators and IPPs.
At the mining end, haul roads and coal transportation routes damaged or disrupted by heavy rainfall are being strengthened across CIL’s mines.
Supplies Gradually Move Towards Pre-Monsoon Levels
The improvement recorded since September 3 indicates a broader recovery in mining and coal movement as rainfall recedes.
With production, overburden removal and power-sector dispatch all showing an upward trend, CIL is focusing on sustaining the recovery and strengthening supplies to power plants.
The company expects the improving September trend to support further recovery in production and dispatch, with power-sector supplies gradually moving towards pre-monsoon levels.
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