India’s total coal rake movements (domestic plus imported coal) stood at 16,193 units in January 2023, which indicates that the Indian Railways transported 63.15 million tonnes (mnt) of coal during the month as each rake carries approximately 3,900 t.
In comparison to December 2022, the total rake movement of coal increased by 3 % m-o-m in January. This is the fourth consecutive month that total coal rake movements have recorded an uptick. In comparison with the same period last year, total movements have increased by 9%.
Domestic coal rake movements in India, which are about 85% of the total, have gone up by 3% m-o-m in tandem with an increase in offtake. Notably, domestic coal dispatches have gone up by 4% m-o-m in January. Meanwhile, y-o-y domestic coal rake movements have edged up by 6%.
Increase in imported coal traffic
After declining for five consecutive months, imported coal rake movements saw a marginal rise in January. This rise in imported coal traffic may be attributed to the Union Ministry of Power’s directive to the imported coal-based (ICB) power plants to operate at full capacity keeping in view the expected surge in power demand in the summer season.
In January, imported coal rake movements rose by 2% m-o-m to 2,407 units from 2,366 units in December. Meanwhile, imported coal traffic was 26% y-o-y higher.
Zone-wise rake movements
Comparing the top major railway zones of East Central Railway (ECR), South East Central Railways (SECR), East Coast Railway (ECR) and South Central Railway (SCR), total coal rake movements have increased slightly. Eastern Railway (ER) and South East Railway (SER) have recorded growth of 8% and 10%, respectively.
The East Coast railway zone handled 55% of the country’s imported coal movement in January, while the traffic volume in South East Railway increased by 10% m-o-m.
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