It is "sufficient" for running the power plants for 23days, a day more than the 22-day fuel stock mandate of CentralElectricity Authority (CEA), the official said.
"Coal stock at thermal power plants in the country hasrisen to the highest ever inventory of 39.48 million tonne onMarch 11, sufficient for 23 days," he said.
The stock is expected to further increase during theremaining days of the current fiscal, the official said.
"The previous high at CEA monitored power plants was39.14 million tonne around four years ago," he said.
The average daily coal consumption then was 1.48million tonne, which is currently at around 1.76 milliontonne.
The miner supplies coal to 125 thermal power plants,out of 134 monitored by CEA.
"With coal stocks comfortably placed there should notbe any shortage in the ensuing summer months," the officialsaid.
The fuel stock at the pitheads of coal India minesmounted to 51 million tonne on March 11, he added. BSMBDC BDC