New Delhi, May 27 (H.S.): Coal imports in the country fell by 7.9% to 24.36 crore tonnes in the last financial year 2024-25, resulting in a savings of approximately ₹60,681.67 crore in foreign currency. In the previous financial year 2023-24, the country's coal imports were 26.45 crore tonnes.

According to the Ministry of Coal, coal-based power generation increased by 3.04% during the financial year 2024-25, but there was a significant decline of 41.4% in coal imports for blending by thermal power plants. This indicates India's ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on imported coal and increase self-reliance in coal production.

The Ministry of Coal stated that the central government has implemented several initiatives, including commercial coal mining and the mission for coking coal, to boost domestic coal production and reduce coal imports. As a result of these efforts, coal production recorded a 5% increase during the financial year 2024-25 compared to the financial year 2023-24. A more significant decline was seen in the non-regulated sector outside the power sector, where imports fell by 8.95% on a year-on-year basis.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar