Coal imports to the country during April-December period of the current financial year declined by 8.4 per cent to 183.42 million tonnes. The reduction in coal imports resulted in foreign exchange savings of approximately $5.43 billion (Rs 42,315.7 crore) for the country. India’s coal sector plays a pivotal role in supporting its rapidly growing economy, with coal serving as a primary energy source for critical industries like power generation, steel production, and cement manufacturing. India faces a significant challenge in meeting its domestic coal demand, especially for coking coal and high-grade thermal coal, which are in short supply in the country’s reserves. The government has implemented several initiatives, including Commercial Coal Mining and Mission Coking Coal, to enhance domestic coal production and reduce imports. These efforts have also led to an encouraging 6.11 per cent growth in coal output during the April- December 2024 period compared to the same period of FY 2023-24. The Ministry of Coal has been implementing strategic measures to strengthen domestic production and ensure a secure coal supply, aligning with India’s goals of reducing coal imports and enhancing energy security.