State-owned CIL, the country’s largest coal producer, on Friday reported a 9.7 per cent drop in coal production to 56.1 million tonnes (MT) in April, raising concerns over meeting the country’s surging energy demands.
The slump in coal production is significant as coal remains the backbone of the country’s power generation, accounting for over 70 per cent of electricity output.
Coal India Ltd (CIL) produced 62.1 MT of coal in April 2025-26.
With peak summer demand pushing power consumption to record highs, the production shortfall could strain supplies to thermal plants and industries, potentially leading to higher imported coal costs, the industry leaders said.
Coal India’s offtake, or sales to customers, also dropped by two per cent to 63.2 MT in April over 64.5 MT in the corresponding month of the previous fiscal, according to the provisional data.
Coal India subsidiaries, which recorded a decline in production, include Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL), Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL
August 22, 2026
