Coal India misses production target again; imports likely to increase

CIL's output between Apr 2017 and Feb 2018 stood at 495.09 mt, 7% lower than the 531.32 mt target set by the coal ministry. Similarly, sales volume is set to fall 3% short of the 541.60 mt target

The import of thermal coal is likely to increase in the coming months, as Coal India is set to miss its production target again – for an 11th straight month save August and September – causing a fuel shortage at the country’s thermal power plants. This is particularly worrisome as the demand for coal is likely to increase further as summer approaches.

The coal monolith’s output from April 2017 to February 2018 stood at 495.09 mt, seven per cent lower than the 531.32 mt target set by the coal ministry. Similarly, sales volume during this period is set to fall