Indian industries stock up on coal to avoid shortages during summer

Industries in India, including metals producers and paper makers, are stockpiling coal to avert shortages during the summer, when heat-waves are expected to drive consumption of the country’s main power generation fuel.
 

Although supplies to non-power industries have improved in recent months, companies remain wary of shipments thinning out when demand from power stations soars during the hot season starting in April. The fear of disruptions to mine output when monsoon rains begin a couple of months later is also a factor.

High demand periods put the country’s coal infrastructure to the test, forcing the government to prioritize supplies to