Coal Ministry Urges Uttar Pradesh to Expedite Development of Saharpur Jamarpani Coal Block

The Ministry of Coal has refuted recent media reports regarding coal supply disruptions in Uttar Pradesh. According to the Ministry, as of September 15, 2026, there is sufficient coal stock available at the state's thermal power plants. Coal India Limited (CIL) remains committed to meeting the state's energy needs, and supply levels are consistently improving.

The Ministry has advised the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) to expedite the development of its captive coal block. The Saharpur Jamarpani coal block, located in the Dumka district of Jharkhand, holds over 973 million tonnes of reserves and was allocated to the state in 2015. However, production has yet to commence even after more than a decade.

The Ministry noted that fourteen other coal blocks allocated during the same period have already begun production. The Ministry believes that operationalizing the Saharpur Jamarpani block will reduce the state's reliance on external sources and ensure long-term fuel security.

Data indicates that coal stocks at UPRVUNL plants rose from 7.25 lakh tonnes on September 1 to 8.41 lakh tonnes by September 15. CIL has been supplying an average of 17.7 rakes per day over the last ten days. Additionally, efforts are underway to provide extra coal through both rail and road transport modes.

The Ministry further clarified that despite the availability of coal, the Plant Load Factor (PLF) of UPRVUNL plants stands at only 48 percent. This suggests that the low power generation is not due to a lack of coal, but rather operational constraints at the plant level.

The state government has been urged to address these bottlenecks to ensure the maximum utilization of available coal stocks. The Ministry reiterated that it and Coal India Limited will continue to support Uttar Pradesh with coal supplies, but the state must prioritize mine development to enhance its self-reliance.