Indian Railways wheeling up the energy security

Mumbai, Nov 28

The coal stock at powerplants end has touched the alarmingly low level of 8.1 million ton in Oct 2021, which was sufficient for 3-4 days consumption only, at a time when our country was recovering fast (V-shaped recovery) from the slumber and horror of Covid related restrictions. This triggered a swift and coordinated efforts by concerned ministries under the national leadership of PM, the coal production, transportation and stocking has started increasing on constant basis, weathering the fluctuations of the monsoon, local unrest, and infrastructural constraints.It has reached at 58.3 million ton for Domestic coal based(61.7 million ton for all power plants)in July 25 which is almost 102% of the nominal stock required for all Domestic coal based powerplants. During this period, Indian Railways significantly increased the daily loading of Domestic coal rakes for power plants, from 265 rakes per day inmid-2021-22 to 461 rakes per day by the last month of 2024-25, reflecting substantial enhancement in network capacity and operational efficiency.

Under the guidance and directions of Railway minister, Indian Railways has played a decisive role in stepping up the coal availability at the country’s thermal power plants. This was essential for meeting rising electricity demand, maintaining grid reliability, and ensuring national energy security for giving impetus to the fastest growing economy of the world on sustainable basis. post covid.

Together, these measures have strengthened coal evacuation from mines, increased daily dispatch capability, and ensured timely delivery to power plants across the country by meticulous monitoring of the critical Powerplants/Gencos, coal availability at Mines/sidings, and Rail network availability amidst different challenges of weather, festivals, local agitations, and network blockages for repair/expansion works.

Over the past three years, Railways has commissioned 54 critical projects—covering multitracking, new lines and Rail Flyover / bypass works—across coal-and mineral routes, spanning 4,719 kilometers. Additionally, 18 new projects covering 1,205.4 km have been sanctioned to further enhance evacuation capacity from key coal-bearing areas. Between 2022–23 and 2024–25, Railways has commissioned 990 km of new lines, 1,041 km of gauge conversion, and 7,633 km of doubling, amounting to 9,664 km of network. These works have significantly expanded carrying capacity on high-density routes and directly supported the increased movement of coal.

Electrification has also progressed steadily, with 6,565 RKM electrified in 2022–23, 7,188 RKM in 2023–24, and 2,701 RKM in 2024–25, enabling faster, cleaner, and more reliable movement of goods trains, particularly on long-haul coal routes.

Wagon induction has been another critical enabler. Railways has systematically increased its fleet of open wagons, inducting 14,776 wagons in 2022–23, 19,324 wagons in 2023–24, 20,325 wagons in 2024–25, and 4,062 wagons up to Sept 2025–26. These additions have significantly improved number and quality of rake availability.

Significant upgrades in coal corridor infrastructure have amplified evacuation capacity from high-producing coalfields. Major works of the doubling of Korba–Champa, Singrauli-Garhwa, Kota-Guna-Bina, quadrupling of Jharsuguda- Bilaspur-Raipur, Nagour-Wardha, then Trippling of Pendra Road–Anuppur, Jharsuguda–Rourkela, , Katni=Bina-Jhansi-Agra_Bhopal-Etarsi, have helped in augmenting the capacity of connecting link between major coal production states and consumption regions across the landscape of the country. In addition new lines of the Angul–Balram line,Angul-Sukinda facilitating evacuation from the Talcher coalfields. New and ongoing corridors such as CERL and CEWRL are expected to add 75–100 MTPA of evacuation capacity from new mines in Sardega, and Raigarh, Korba areas, easing congestion and enabling smoother and faster coal movement from Chhattisgarh and Odisha, two of India’s largest coal-producing states.

The expansion of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) at mines has been a major driver of operational efficiency and reducing environmental pollution. Mechanised loading systems—such as rapid loading systems (RLS), silos and coal handling plants (CHPs)—have significantly reduced loading time while improving accuracy and safety. In Northern Coalfields (NCL), FMC modernisation has added over 63 MTPA of mechanised capacity across key mines including Jayant, Nigahi, Bina–Kakri, Dudhichua and Amlohri. Silo loading reduces loading time to under 60 minutes per rake, ensuring faster placement and release of rakes and allowing Railways to maintain a predictable and high-volume dispatch cycle.

Importantly, this enhanced scale of coal movement was achieved without imposing any additional charges on power utilities and any other industries thereby reducing the overall logistics cost. At the same time, Railways ensured that other major freight-dependent industries—including steel, cement, container traffic, ports, aluminium, paper and export cargo—continued to receive adequate rake supply. This reflects the system’s resilience and capacity to support national energy security while simultaneously sustaining industrial and economic activity across sectors.

Despite expanding freight operations, Railways effectively managed surge demands of increased passenger volumes during major national events and festivals. The network successfully operated special services during Mahakumbh 2025, general elections, Holi, Diwali–Dussehra–Chhath, and seasonal travel peaks. Railways also facilitated significant strategic and military movements, including those related to Operation Sindoor.

At the power plant end, Railways has supported improvements in sidings, yard layouts and mechanised unloading systems, enabling faster rake handling and reducing detention. Collectively, these interventions have enabled India to move from a vulnerable coal stock situation to a stable and robust stock position. Continuous wagon induction, large-scale capacity expansion, FMC strengthening, operational reforms and modern technology have together created a dependable and future-ready coal transportation system that supports the country’s energy security.

This is a major infrastructural boost for carrying the aspirations of our country towards our PM’s vision of Vikasit Bharat by 2047.