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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2587
ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026
ACHIEVEMENTS OF COAL PRODUCTION TARGETS IN 2025
2587 DR. SUMER SINGH SOLANKI:
SHRI RAJIB BHATTACHARJEE:
SHRI BABURAM NISHAD:
SHRI MAYANKKUMAR NAYAK:
SMT. SEEMA DWIVEDI:
Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:
(a) whether Government achieved its production target of 117 billion Million Tonnes (MT) in
2025;
(b) the manner in which 54 per cent reduction in coal imports for blending in 2025 translated
into savings for thermal power plants;
(c) whether Government has assessed the impact of the new CoalSETU window on fair price
discovery for the non-regulated sector;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the specific measures taken to ensure that record production levels do not lead to
environmental degradation in densely populated mining belts?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES
(SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)
(a): The domestic coal production in the country was 1047.52 Million Tonne (MT) in the FY
2024-25.
(b): During the FY 2024-25, the total coal imported in the country was 243.62 MT, whereas,
in FY 2023-24, it was 264.53 MT, leading to a forex saving of around ₹ 60,681.67 Crores
during the FY 2024-2025 compared to FY 2023-24.
The cost of generation of electricity is dependent upon the price of coal, freight charges and
also on the price of the blended imported coal, in case of blending. The price of imported coal
is linked with International Indices, source of origin and factors like ocean freight, insurance
etc. which vary with international demand supply scenario. Further, every generating company
consumes imported coal as per its requirement. During the year 2025-26 (April - December,
2025), the coal imported for blending is 5.59 MT as compared to 12.0 MT during the same
period last year, which is around 54% less than previous year, thereby reducing input fuel cost
to the domestic coal-based power plants.
(c) & (d): All the coal linkages under the CoalSETU window shall be auction-based as per the
methodology and policy document to ensure transparency and facilitate market driven price
discovery by providing a level playing field to all eligible consumers. Linkage auction under
CoalSETU will be held by Coal India Limited in the upcoming 10th Tranche of NRS linkage
auctions.(e): The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) stipulates various
conditions in the Environmental Clearances issued to coal mining projects for the
implementation of eco-friendly measures to mitigate the environmental impact of mining
operations. All the mines are operated with valid Consent to Operate granted by the Pollution
Control Board. Periodic compliance reports are submitted to the MoEF&CC as well as to the
respective State Pollution Control Boards, thereby ensuring adherence to prescribed
standards. The measures undertaken by the coal companies to address environmental
degradation in densely populated mining belts are as under:
i. Adoption of clean coal technologies including extraction of Coal Bed Methane (CBM)
and Coal Gasification.
ii. Minimization of road transportation and enhancement of mechanized coal loading and
transportation including First Mile Connectivity projects.
iii. Adoption of blast-free mining technologies through surface miners, X-centric rippers.
iv. Mitigation of dust pollution by using fixed sprinklers, mist sprinklers, mobile water
sprinkler, fog cannons, robotic nozzles water sprayer, mechanical road sweeper, Wheel
Washing system, wind barriers etc.
v. Extensive plantation in and around mining areas for the control of dust, carbon
sequestration, restoration of degraded land.
vi. Development of eco-parks in mined out areas after proper stabilization.
vii. Regular ecological assessments/ studies by reputed institutions aimed to prepare
baseline conditions and action plan for further augmentation of ecology.
viii. Greening activities such as grassing, bamboo plantation over temporary dumps for
stabilization and restoration of ecosystem.
ix. Black-topping or paving of coal transportation roads including its periodical
maintenance to reduce dust generation.
x. Promoting Underground Coal Mining.
xi. Installation of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and
Online PM10 Analyzer for real time air quality monitoring.
xii. Scientific Closure of Mines.
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