Coal crisis unlikely this year: CIL Chairman Pramod Agrawal

Coal stocks at power plants will be in a comfortable position post-monsoons this year and a crisis like last August’s is unlikely, Coal India NSE 0.63 % chairman Pramod Agrawal said. The company is reorienting its strategy by accelerating its production pace from the first quarter itself. Historically, Coal India’s production is the highest during fourth and third quarters of the year. Speaking exclusively to ET’s Sarita C Singh, Agrawal indicated that the entire imported coal quantity tied up under two tenders is unlikely to be drawn. Interview excerpts:-