Any fear of disruption in power supply due to coal shortage is entirely misplaced because the coal stock at power plants is sufficient for more than 4 days’ requirement and as supply is being ramped up by Coal India (CIL), the stock position at plants would gradually improve, the power ministry has said.

Power minister R K Singh has reviewed the coal stock position at all thermal power plants - including those supplying power to distribution companies of Delhi.

According to official data, the total despatch of coal from all sources -- including Coal India, Singareni Collieries, captive coal mines and imported coal -- stood at 1.92 million tonne on 9 October while the total consumption was 1.87 million tonne.

"Thus, the coal despatch have exceeded the consumption, thereby indicating shift to gradual building up of coal stock. Ministry of Coal and Coal India have assured that there is ample coal available in the country to meet the demand of power plants," the power ministry said in a statement.

Singh has issued instructions to ensure Delhi discoms get as much as power as requisitioned by them. NTPC and DVC have also been directed to give full availability as per the requirement of DISCOMs. In addition, GAIL India has been advised to make gas available from all sources including APM, SPOT, LT-RLNG sources to gas based power plants in Delhi.