The Ministry of Coal clarifies that the coal supply issues faced by Uttar Pradesh are not due to a critical coal availability constraint, but rather a lack of progress in developing its own captive mine. The ministry advises Uttar Pradesh to expedite development of the Saharpur Jamarpani coal block.
Recent media reports have suggested a severe power shortage in Uttar Pradesh due to disruptions in coal supply. However, according to the Ministry of Coal, as of September 15, 2026, none of the thermal power plants of Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL) is in the critical-stock category. The ministry attributes this to Coal India Limited (CIL), which continues to fully meet UPRVUNL's coal requirement.
The ministry notes that the Saharpur Jamarpani coal block, allotted to UPRVUNL in 2015 for meeting its thermal power projects' coal requirements, has seen no progress towards operationalisation. By contrast, fourteen other captive coal blocks allotted for power sector use since then have been operationalised and are producing coal.
The ministry advises Uttar Pradesh to take urgent steps towards developing the Saharpur Jamarpani block, which would reduce its dependence on external sources and secure long-term fuel security for its power plants. The ministry also notes that issues requiring attention at UPRVUNL plants include unloading constraints and operational constraints at generating stations.
In addition, the coal stock position at UPRVUNL's thermal power plants has been improving steadily. As of September 15, 2026, the coal stock stood at 8.41 lakh tonnes (LT), having risen from 7.25 LT on September 1.
Over the last ten days, CIL supplied an average of around 17.7 rakes/day to UPRVUNL's power plants. Extra quantities under Road/RCR mode were offered to all Gencos/IPPs, including UPRVUNL, on September 3, 2026, to further build up stock at thermal power plants (TPPs).
However, unloading constraints at various plants and operational constraints at generating stations remain issues that need to be addressed to ensure optimal utilisation of available coal stock.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
