India’s Coal Production and Dispatches Surge in October 2024
In October 2024, India’s coal production reached an impressive 84.45 million tonnes, marking a 7.48% increase from the 78.57 million tonnes produced in October 2023. The Ministry of Coal reported significant growth in production from captive and other entities, which rose to 16.59 million tonnes, a 41.75% increase from the previous year.
Cumulatively, coal production for the fiscal year up to October 2024 was 537.45 million tonnes, up from 506.56 million tonnes in the same period of 2023-24, reflecting a 6.10% growth. Coal dispatches also saw a rise, reaching 82.89 million tonnes in October 2024, a 4.60% increase over the 79.25 million tonnes recorded in October 2023.
Dispatches from captive and other entities grew to 16.18 million tonnes in October 2024, compared to 11.83 million tonnes in October 2023, showing a 36.83% growth. Cumulative dispatches up to October 2024 increased to 571.39 million tonnes, compared to 541.51 million tonnes in the same period of 2023-24, a growth rate of 5.52%.
The Ministry of Coal emphasized its commitment to ensuring a reliable coal supply to meet India’s energy needs, focusing on increasing production, improving logistics, and supporting the country’s energy goals.
Doubts Revealed
Coal Production -: Coal production refers to the process of mining coal from the ground. Coal is a black or brownish-black rock that is used as a fuel to produce electricity and heat.
Million Tonnes -: A million tonnes is a unit of weight. One tonne is equal to 1,000 kilograms. So, a million tonnes is 1,000,000 kilograms.
Captive and Other Entities -: Captive entities are companies that produce coal for their own use, like power plants. Other entities could be private or government companies that produce coal for selling to others.
Fiscal Year -: A fiscal year is a one-year period that companies and governments use for financial reporting and budgeting. In India, it starts on April 1 and ends on March 31 of the next year.
Coal Dispatches -: Coal dispatches refer to the transportation and delivery of coal from the mines to the places where it is needed, like power plants or factories.
Ministry of Coal -: The Ministry of Coal is a part of the Indian government responsible for managing the production and supply of coal in India. They ensure that there is enough coal to meet the country’s energy needs.