New Delhi— India’s thermal power plants are now holding a record 58.25 million tonnes of coal—enough to meet 25 days of consumption—thanks in large part to the Indian Railways’ push toward mechanized silo loading, the government announced on Tuesday.
The Ministry of Railways noted a significant uptick in coal loaded through silos, rising from 18.8 percent in 2022–23 to 29 percent so far in 2025–26. This shift marks a deliberate and sustained effort to modernize coal logistics and improve supply chain efficiency.
The update came following a high-level meeting between Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy and Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who reviewed the current state of coal transportation and discussed strategies for further improving logistics.
A key focus of the discussion was the expansion of silo loading infrastructure—an automated method of transferring coal directly from silos to railway wagons. Unlike traditional methods that involve manual loading or the use of front-end loaders, silo loading streamlines the process, ensures uniform coal sizing, and prevents damage to wagons. It also helps maintain consistent operations even during adverse weather conditions.
The ministers assessed ongoing and planned projects to scale up silo infrastructure in major coal-producing regions. They emphasized the need for close inter-ministerial coordination to ensure efficient coal delivery from mines to power plants.
According to the Ministry of Railways, the current coal stockpile represents a major milestone in India’s energy preparedness. The record reserves are expected to support uninterrupted power supply through the high-demand summer season and provide a buffer during the monsoon, when coal production and transport are often hindered by heavy rains. (Source: IANS)
