Coal India Launches CoalSETU Window For Transparent Coal Auctions

24 Feb 2026 CW Team

CoalSETU will operate on a first-price sealed-bid electronic auction platform where prospective buyers must register their plants or units, provide normative coal requirements and remit process fees and bid security. The auction will proceed in three phases comprising preparation and announcement, confidential sealed bidding with reserve price enforcement, and post-auction allocation with issuance of a letter of intent and electronic execution of fuel supply agreements. Tie-breaking will favour larger submitted quantities and earlier submission times.

Pricing will follow a floor price plus winning premium model with an escalable component linked to prior auction performance to ensure market-aligned outcomes. For illustration a modulated notified price of Rs2,000 per tonne (t) with a 40 per cent winning premium and a five per cent escalable component would produce an as-delivered price calculated as Rs2,000 multiplied by one plus 0.40 plus 0.05, resulting in Rs2,900 per tonne. Bids below the reserve price will be rejected.

Non-coking coal washeries with approved flowsheets and environmental clearances may participate and may sell washed coal domestically or export up to 50 per cent of allocated quantities, while resale of raw coal in the domestic market is prohibited. Fuel supply agreements under CoalSETU will carry a 10-year term to provide long-term supply security and allocated quantities will be subject to verification by government or certified agencies. Coal India has invited stakeholder comments within 20 days of notification to refine modalities, underscoring the policy focus on transparent, efficient and environmentally responsible coal utilisation.

Coal India has introduced the CoalSETU (Seamless, Efficient and Transparent Utilisation) window under its Non-Regulated Sector Linkage Auction Policy to enable seamless, efficient and transparent utilisation of coal by eligible domestic industrial users. The facility permits industrial plants including cement, sponge iron, steel and independent washery operators to bid for coal linkages for internal consumption, for coal washing operations or for export, while explicitly excluding traders from participation. CoalSETU will operate on a first-price sealed-bid electronic auction platform where prospective buyers must register their plants or units, provide normative coal requirements and remit process fees and bid security. The auction will proceed in three phases comprising preparation and announcement, confidential sealed bidding with reserve price enforcement, and post-auction allocation with issuance of a letter of intent and electronic execution of fuel supply agreements. Tie-breaking will favour larger submitted quantities and earlier submission times. Pricing will follow a floor price plus winning premium model with an escalable component linked to prior auction performance to ensure market-aligned outcomes. For illustration a modulated notified price of Rs2,000 per tonne (t) with a 40 per cent winning premium and a five per cent escalable component would produce an as-delivered price calculated as Rs2,000 multiplied by one plus 0.40 plus 0.05, resulting in Rs2,900 per tonne. Bids below the reserve price will be rejected. Non-coking coal washeries with approved flowsheets and environmental clearances may participate and may sell washed coal domestically or export up to 50 per cent of allocated quantities, while resale of raw coal in the domestic market is prohibited. Fuel supply agreements under CoalSETU will carry a 10-year term to provide long-term supply security and allocated quantities will be subject to verification by government or certified agencies. Coal India has invited stakeholder comments within 20 days of notification to refine modalities, underscoring the policy focus on transparent, efficient and environmentally responsible coal utilisation.

Infrastructure Urban

23 Apr 2026

Centre Examines Duty Relief Under MOOWR For Battery Storage Imports

The finance ministry is examining whether to continue customs warehousing benefits under the Manufacture and Other Operations in Warehouse Regulations, 2019 framework for imported battery energy storage systems. It plans consultations with the ministries of power and new and renewable energy to decide on the future scope of duty and GST deferment for such imports. The review follows concerns from the renewable energy sector that the current approach is creating an uneven playing field. Under the regulations, companies may import goods without paying customs duty or goods and services tax upfro..

Infrastructure Urban

23 Apr 2026

Jamshedpur MP Seeks Rs 4,820 Million Plan For Tatanagar Platforms

Member of Parliament Bidyut Baran Mahato held a meeting with Vikas Jain, Executive Director (Public Grievances) of the Railway Board, following a special session of Parliament to press for accelerated rail infrastructure work around Jamshedpur and Tatanagar. The discussions addressed a range of projects that the ministry is prioritising for the area. Final Location Surveys for the construction of the fourth and fifth railway lines between Pandrasali and Kandra and for the development of a satellite station near Tatanagar have already been approved, clearing the way for detailed planning. Mahat..

Infrastructure Energy

23 Apr 2026

Final Batch Of Two 3,300 HP Locomotives Reach Mozambique

The final batch of two 3,300 horsepower (hp) locomotives manufactured by Banaras Locomotive Works (BLW) has reached Mozambique, marking completion of an export consignment. The locomotives arrived at Maputo harbour and were cleared for onward movement to the national rail operator. The shipment closes a programme that began with earlier consignments delivered over the past months. Banaras Locomotive Works, a production unit of Indian Railways, built the locomotives under a contract with the Mozambican rail authority and managed the final inspections and commissioning preparations prior to disp..