Coal India’s sales rise for first time in six months on gas crunch, summer demand
NEW DELHI: Coal India’s sales in March grew for the first time in six months, the company said on Wednesday, indicating a ramp-up in coal stocks ahead of peak summer amid a shortfall in gas supply due to the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. Coal India’s offtake, or sales to customers, rose 0.7% to 69.5 million tons in March, despite a 1.5% drop in its provisional output to 84.5 million tons, the company said in a stock exchange filing. The state-run company accounts for over 80% of the country’s production and is the world’s largest coal miner by output. Coal India’s offtake fell for six consecutive months after a 7.6% jump in August, boosting inventory levels at power plants as temperate weather dented India’s power demand in 2025. The higher stocks have kept import demand subdued despite the peak summer season approaching, said Vasudev Pamnani, director at Gujarat-based coal trader iEnergy Natural Resources. Coal India unit Central Mine Planning’s $199 million IPO fully subscribed on final bidding day Domestic coal remained relatively more attractive in certain segments, he said, adding that disruptions in liquefied natural gas supply and reduced gas-based power generation are expected to boost reliance on coal for power generation.