India coal stocks critical: 40% of plants under 3 days supply, demand up 4.2%

Nearly 40% of India's coal-fired plants now hold under three days of coal inventory, up from 60 to 74 plants week-over-week, per Central Electricity Authority data. Domestic supply is adequate, but the jump in critically low stocks signals tightening power-sector margins ahead of peak demand. This raises near-term import risk and could pressure global coal prices.