Reduction in Coal imports led to savings of apprx 42,300 cr rupees

The government today said that coal imports to the country decreased by 8.4 percent during April to December 2024. The Ministry of Coal, in a statement, said that coal imports from April to December 2024 stood at 183.42 million tonnes compared to 200.19 million tonnes in the same period of the previous fiscal year. This reduction resulted in foreign exchange savings of approximately forty-two thousand three hundred crore rupees. 

The Ministry said that the non-regulated sector, excluding the power sector,



experienced a more significant decline, with imports dropping by 12.01 percent year-on-year. It added that coal-based power generation grew by 3.53 percent from April to December 2024 compared to the previous year. However, imports for blending by thermal power plants sharply decreased by 29.8 percent. The Ministry said that the government’s efforts towards enhancing domestic coal production and reducing imports have led to a growth of more than six percent in coal output during this period.