THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 7, 2026

Coal India Ltd (CIL) has witnessed a sharp recovery in coal production and supplies to the power sector as rainfall receded across its mining regions, with average daily output rising 35 per cent in the first six days of September.

CIL's average daily coal production increased to around 1.83 million tonnes (MT) on September 6 from approximately 1.36 MT during September 1-3, the first three rain-affected days of the month, indicating a steady recovery in mining and transportation operations.

The improvement followed the restoration of affected working areas and transportation routes, with CIL subsidiaries contributing significantly to the recovery.

During the period, average daily production at Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) rose around 61 per cent to 0.29 MT from 0.18 MT, while South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) recorded a 33 per cent increase to 0.20 MT from 0.15 MT.

The recovery in production has also translated into higher coal supplies to power plants. Average daily dispatches to the power sector rose 24 per cent to around 1.70 MT on September 6 from 1.37 MT during September 1-3.

At NCL, average daily power-sector dispatch increased 56 per cent to 0.28 MT from 0.18 MT, while SECL recorded a 23 per cent rise to 0.37 MT from 0.30 MT during the same period.

A sharp improvement in overburden removal (OBR), a key indicator of coal exposure and future production readiness, has further strengthened the outlook for CIL's output.

Average daily OBR more than doubled to 5.1 million cubic metres (MCuM) on September 6 from 2.5 MCuM during the first three days of the month. OBR rose fourfold at NCL and more than three times at SECL over the same period.

CIL has reappropriated resources and remobilised manpower and equipment to full deployment strength to accelerate overburden removal and expose additional coal reserves.

Lower-horizon coal seams are also steadily being brought back into operation through continuous dewatering. Mines that had been operating under geotechnical constraints during the monsoon are reopening as dry spells widen the available working areas.

The availability of dry working benches and dry raw coal has provided another boost to operations. Reduced moisture and stickiness have improved the free-flowing characteristics of coal, facilitating smoother handling and conveyance.

To further strengthen supplies to power plants, particularly critical generating stations receiving coal through washery and Rail-Cum-Road (RCR) modes, CIL is offering coal beyond the Monthly Scheduled Quantity (MSQ) to interested central and state generating companies and independent power producers for road-mode lifting.

The company is also prioritising lifting against Delivery Orders issued to critical power plants under the road mode.

Coal movement has improved across several mining areas as haul roads and transportation routes affected by heavy rainfall continue to be strengthened. The impact of these measures became increasingly visible following the reduction in rainfall from September 3 onwards.

With production, overburden removal and power-sector dispatch all showing a strong upward trend, CIL is now focused on consolidating the recovery and further strengthening coal supplies.

The improving trend in September is expected to provide a positive outlook for CIL's production and dispatch, with supplies to power plants gradually moving towards pre-monsoon levels.