Coal shortage ‘beyond normal’, situation may not ease soon

A sharp increase in energy demand as the economy opened up post pandemic restrictions is causing a “beyond normal” shortage of coal in the country which could last as long as six months.

Union Power Minister R K Singh told the Indian Express that bridging the gap between available coal and the coal needed to fire power stations would be a “touch and go” till then, though the demand is likely to come down after mid October with cooler weather.