Coal Imports Up 1.5 Per Cent Despite Push for Local Output

28 Aug 2025 CW Team

India’s coal imports rose by 1.5 per cent year-on-year to 76.40 million tonnes (MT) in the April–June quarter of FY26, compared to 75.26 MT in the same period last year, according to data from mjunction Services Ltd, a B2B e-commerce platform jointly operated by Tata Steel and SAIL. This increase comes despite the government’s ongoing efforts to boost domestic coal output and reduce import dependency.

In June 2025, coal imports totalled 23.91 MT, up from 22.97 MT in June 2024. Non-coking coal imports during the quarter were 49.08 MT, marginally lower than 49.12 MT in the same period last year. Meanwhile, coking coal imports rose to 16.37 MT, up from 15.45 MT in April–June 2024. For the month of June alone, non-coking coal imports stood at 14.85 MT, and coking coal imports at 5.78 MT, both higher than their respective year-ago levels.

On the domestic front, Coal India Ltd (CIL)—which accounts for more than 80 per cent of India’s coal production—reported an 8.5 per cent decline in output for June 2025, producing 57.8 MT compared to 63.1 MT in June 2024. While CIL did not attribute a specific reason for the drop, industry experts pointed to seasonal disruptions during the monsoon, which commonly hinder mining activities and logistics, thereby affecting coal dispatch to power plants.

Despite these seasonal challenges, Coal Minister G Kishan Reddy has assured that there will be no coal shortage during the monsoon, highlighting the government's preparedness to meet demand across sectors, particularly power.

The Ministry of Coal reiterated its commitment to sustainable growth, enhanced domestic coal availability, and reducing reliance on imports. With these initiatives in place, the coal sector continues to be a key driver in India’s energy and industrial growth story.

Infrastructure Urban

08 Oct 2025

Kashmir Receives First-Ever Automobile Consignment By Rail

In a landmark moment for Jammu and Kashmir’s transport infrastructure, the Valley has received its first-ever automobile consignment by rail, signalling a major advancement in freight connectivity.A freight rake carrying over 100 vehicles arrived early this morning at the newly operational Goods Shed in Anantnag, South Kashmir. The train, dispatched from Maruti Suzuki India Limited’s Gati Shakti Terminal in Manesar, Haryana, completed its 850-kilometre journey in approximately 45 hours.Officials described the successful operation as a “significant leap forward” in Kashmir’s logistics..

Kilambakkam Station, Skywalk Opening Delayed To January 2026

The long-awaited Kilambakkam railway station and pedestrian skywalk connecting it to the Kilambakkam Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus (KCBT) will now open only by January 2026, after multiple construction delays by both the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) and Southern Railway. The postponement has left thousands of commuters struggling with poor connectivity during the ongoing festive season.Located nearly 25 kilometres from Chennai, KCBT serves as a major hub for mofussil and SETC buses heading to districts across Tamil Nadu. In the absence of train connectivity, commuters a..

Railways Clears Rs 1.12 Billion Six-Lane Bridge Near Amaravati

The Ministry of Railways has approved the construction of a six-lane road over bridge (ROB) at the E13 extension road between Mangalagiri and Krishna Canal stations in Andhra Pradesh, at an estimated cost of Rs 1.12 billion. The project, fully funded by the Railways, aims to improve regional connectivity and ease traffic flow towards the Amaravati Capital Region.The proposed bridge will provide a crucial link between National Highway-16 (NH-16) and Amaravati, crossing the busy Chennai–Howrah railway line near Vijayawada. Initially planned as a four-lane structure, the design has been upgrade..