India’s Coal Imports Drop Four Point Two Per Cent

26 Mar 2026 CW Team

India’s coal imports dropped four point two per cent to 213.10 million tonnes (mn t) in the April–January period of the current financial year as the government prioritised boosting domestic output. The decline took place against a backdrop of firmer seaborne coal prices caused by supply constraints and geopolitical tensions, which are expected to keep imports subdued in the near term. The trend reflects an ongoing push for self?reliance in coal production supported by steady growth in domestic supply.

Data compiled by mjunction services showed non?coking coal imports stood at 127.80 mn t during the period, down from 141.18 mn t a year earlier, while coking coal imports rose to 50.39 mn t from 45.83 mn t, pointing to sustained demand from the steel sector. On a monthly basis, January imports fell 22.1 per cent to 16.64 mn t from 21.37 mn t in the corresponding month last year. The monthly disaggregation showed non?coking imports at nine point four five mn t versus 12.33 mn t and coking imports at four point two three mn t compared with five point two three mn t previously.

Officials expect the government measures to reduce reliance on foreign supplies while meeting rising energy needs, and industry projections indicate domestic coal output will continue to increase. Production is projected to grow at an annual rate of six to seven per cent over the coming years, with output anticipated to reach around one point five billion tonnes (bn t) by 2029–30. The projection underlines plans to strengthen energy security and moderate import dependence.

Minister for Coal and Mines G Kishan Reddy indicated that coal demand is likely to continue rising and could peak around 2040, reinforcing the policy emphasis on ramping up local production. The government has been stepping up measures to expand capacity and ensure long?term supply adequacy for industry and power generation.

Infrastructure Transport

30 May 2026

Chembur Metro to Boost East Mumbai Links

MMRDA is advancing eastern Mumbai’s urban mobility network, with the upcoming Chembur Metro Station set to emerge as a key interchange and the Mumbai Monorail preparing for relaunch.Dr Sanjay Mukherjee, Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA, conducted a site visit to Chembur Metro Station along with Kanhuraj Bagate, Managing Director, MMMOCL. He also visited the nearby VN Purav Monorail Station to review system preparedness and ease of interconnectivity.Once operational, the interchange is expected to offer commuters across the eastern suburbs quicker access, smoother transfers and seamless conne..

Herrenknecht TBMs Drive Thane–Borivali Tunnel Progress

Herrenknecht India has supplied two of the four tunnel boring machines (TBMs) required for the 11-km Thane–Borivali Twin Tunnel Project being developed by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA). The project is expected to reduce travel time between Thane and Borivali from 60–90 minutes to around 15 minutes while easing congestion across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.The first two Single Shield TBMs, named Nayak and Arjuna, feature 13.34-m cutterhead diameters and are designed for hard-rock excavation. They will be deployed to tunnel through the challenging geological..

KBL Launches Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set

Kirloskar Brothers (KBL) has launched its Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set, an integrated fire protection solution designed to improve operational efficiency, remote monitoring and installation flexibility. The system was inaugurated by Ms Madhuritai Misal, Hon. Minister of State for Urban Development, Government of Maharashtra.The Smart Skid Mounted Fire Pump Set is a factory-tested, pre-packaged solution that combines FM/UL-certified motor and engine pump sets with IoT-enabled remote monitoring. Designed to deliver a flow rate of 170 m³/hr at a head of 100 metres, the system aims to provide..