Coal India Limited (CIL) has witnessed a sharp improvement in coal production and supplies to the power sector with rainfall receding across its mining regions.

CIL’s average daily coal production, rose by 35%, which was around 1.36 Million Tonne (MT) during the first three rain-affected days of September, to approximately 1.83 MT on 6^th September 2026. The improvement comes as mining conditions steadily recover and affected transportation routes and working areas are restored. The rise in production was led by CIL’s subsidiaries. During the same period, average daily production increased around 61% from 0.18 MT to 0.29 MT at NCL, up by 33% from 0.15 MT to 0.20 MT at SECL.

The improvement in production is translating into higher dispatches, with the power sector witnessing a clear pick-up in coal supplies. The average daily despatch to the power sector increased by 24% from around 1.37 MT during the first three days of September to 1.7 MT as on 6^th September 2026. During the same period, power-sector dispatch increased by 56% from 0.18 MT to 0.28 MT at NCL, up 23% from 0.30 MT to 0.37 MT at SECL.

The improvement in production is being backed by a substantial increase in Overburden Removal (OBR), an important indicator of coal exposure and future production readiness. Average daily OBR doubled from 2.5 Million Cubic Metres (MCuM) during the first three days of September to 5.1 MCM on 6^th September, 2026. OBR increased fourfold at NCL, over three times at SECL during the same period.

Resources have been reappropriated and remobilised to full deployment strength to accelerate overburden removal and expose additional coal. The lower-horizon coal seams are steadily being brought back into operation through continuous dewatering. Mines that had been operating under geotechnical constraints during the monsoon are now opening up as the mine landscape widens with the return of dry spells.

One significant improvement is the availability of dry working benches and dry raw coal. With reduced moisture and stickiness, the coal acquires better free-flowing characteristics, facilitating smoother handling and conveyance.

CIL is taking additional measures to strengthen supplies to power plants, particularly critical plants drawing coal through Washery and RCR mode. Coal is being offered beyond the Monthly scheduled Quantity (MSQ) to interested Central and State Gencos and IPPs for road-mode lifting. Lifting of coal against Delivery Orders issued to critical power plants in road mode is also being prioritised.

The improvement in coal movement is visible across several mining areas.

Haul roads and coal transportation routes affected by heavy rainfall are being strengthened on a continuous basis across all mines of CIL. The impact of these measures became evident with the reduction in rainfall from September 3 onwards.

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

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

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Shuhaib T

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