Coal Sector Leads Growth Among Core Industries in December 2024

05 Feb 2025 CW Team

The coal sector reported the highest growth of 5.3% (provisional) in December 2024, reaching 215.1 points compared to 204.3 points in December 2023, according to the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry. For the period from April to December 2024, the sector’s index rose to 177.6 points, up from 167.2 points last year, marking a 6.2% increase, the highest among all eight core industries. The ICI tracks the performance of eight core industries: cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilisers, natural gas, refinery products, and steel. In December 2024, the combined index of the eight core industries showed a 4.0% growth year-on-year. From April to December 2024, the index grew by 4.2% compared to the same period in the previous fiscal year, underscoring the coal sector’s key role in driving industrial expansion. The coal sector’s impressive growth is attributed to a notable rise in production, which reached 726.31 million tonnes (MT) from 684.47 MT during the same period in 2023, highlighting its capacity to meet the increasing demand from energy and manufacturing sectors. (PIB)

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..