In a response to a Lok Sabha query, Minister Pralhad Joshi revealed that India witnessed a decline in coal imports by five percent, amounting to 125.21 million tonnes (MT) during the April-September period of the ongoing fiscal year. He noted that if production through auctions and commercial coal auctions hadn't commenced, the projected need for coal imports based on the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) would have been 150 million tonnes.

Joshi highlighted the significance of ongoing initiatives undertaken by the government to curtail coal imports. Measures include a strong emphasis on bolstering domestic coal production, a critical step toward achieving self-reliance and diminishing reliance on imported coal.

He mentioned that in the financial year 2022-23, there was a notable increase of 14.77 percent in coal production compared to the previous year. For the current fiscal year, the coal production target stands at 1,012.14 MT. Furthermore, Coal India Ltd (CIL) anticipates reaching a milestone of producing one billion tonnes by 2025-26.

The decline in coal imports coupled with strategic measures to bolster domestic production signifies India's concerted efforts to reduce reliance on imported coal and achieve greater self-sufficiency in its coal needs.