New Delhi, October 10, 2026: Coal supplies to India’s power plants have increased in October, slowing the depletion of fuel inventories following a decline in September. However, coal stocks continue to fall, and the government has acknowledged that the rebuilding of inventories has yet to begin.
According to the Ministry of Coal, average daily supplies to the power sector in October have been about 9% higher than in September, while deliveries have risen by around 36% from their September low. Improved railway loading and deliveries through other transport modes have helped increase coal supplies.
In a statement issued on October 9, the ministry said the daily rate of coal stock depletion at power plants had fallen by more than half, from 0.243 million tonnes in September to 0.116 million tonnes in October. The figures indicate that the gap between coal supplies and consumption has narrowed, although incoming supplies have not yet reached levels sufficient to rebuild inventories.
The clarification follows media reports warning of possible electricity shortages as the number of thermal power plants with critically low coal stocks increases.
The ministry explained that the “critical stock” classification applies to power plants holding less coal than the level prescribed under stockholding norms. It is intended as an early-warning indicator and does not necessarily mean that a plant has exhausted its fuel supply or faces an immediate shutdown.
Coal transportation by rail has also improved. According to the ministry, total railway loading averaged more than 465 rakes per day in October, with the target of 470 rakes achieved on three consecutive days. A rake is a set of railway wagons used to transport coal and other goods. Deliveries by road and other transport modes have also increased.
The government said it was closely monitoring plants in the critical stock category and redistributing coal according to their requirements to maintain adequate fuel supplies and prevent disruptions to electricity generation.
The ministry expects pressure on coal inventories to ease as the monsoon recedes and peak electricity demand moderates by mid-October, in line with historical trends.
It said sustained railway loading of 465–475 rakes per day should help stabilise inventories further and enable power plants to begin rebuilding coal stocks ahead of the festive season, winter and the following summer’s peak demand period. Such an improvement could also reduce the number of plants classified as having critical coal reserves.
The Ministry of Coal said it was coordinating closely with the Ministry of Railways and the Ministry of Power to monitor supplies and transport arrangements, with the aim of ensuring that coal availability does not constrain electricity generation anywhere in the country.
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