Coal Imports Fell, Output Rose In 2021-22, Yet States Faced Power Crisis

In April 2021-January 2022, coal import by the power sector had fell to 22.73 million tonnes as compared to 39.01 million tonnes of last year

Despite the fact that during the September-October period of 2021, several states were staring at a possibility of blackouts due to severe shortage of coal supply, between April 2021-January 2022, dry fuel imports had decreased to the level of 173.32 million tonnes as compared to 180.56 million tonnes during the corresponding period of previous year, even as production was robust.

According to official data of the Coal Ministry, during the same April 2021-January 2022 period, coal import by the power sector had fell to 22.73 million tonnes as compared to 39.01 million tonnes during the corresponding period of last year.

Reduction in imports showed that the country had adequate supply of domestic coal, as its output has been record breaking.

Earlier this month, Coal India Limited, which is the largest supplier of dry fuel in the country, had said in a statement that 2021-22 has turned out to be a high-performance year for it with a flurry of previous records bettered.