The Ministry of Coal has reported significant growth in captive and commercial coal production and dispatch for the financial year 2024-25. As of March 31, 2025, total coal production from these segments reached 190.95 million tonnes (MT), representing a robust increase of 29.79 per cent compared to the 147.11 MT recorded during the same period in the previous year. Coal dispatches also registered substantial growth, rising to 190.42 MT—an increase of 33.36% from the 142.79 MT dispatched in FY 2023-24. This uptrend highlights the efficiency improvements in the coal supply chain and reflects the sector’s ability to meet the rising demand from power and industrial consumers. Production from captive mines recorded a 24.72 per cent growth, while dispatches from these mines rose by 27.76 per cent over the previous year. These figures underline the continued contribution of captive mines in ensuring a consistent coal supply to critical sectors such as power, steel, and cement. Commercial coal mines posted even more impressive growth figures. Production from these mines surged by 67.32 per cent, while dispatches increased by a significant 76.71 per cent compared to FY 2023-24. This performance points to the growing role of private sector participation in the coal industry, enhancing overall coal availability and supporting the government’s vision for energy security and self-reliance. The record-breaking performance in both production and dispatch is a strong indicator of the coal sector's expanding capacity and operational efficiency. It also reinforces the government’s focus on tapping into domestic coal resources to reduce dependence on imports and promote sustainable economic growth. News source: Business Standard