New Delhi, May 14 -- India's coal imports witnessed a sharp decline of 9.2 per cent during the April 2024 to February 2025 period, totaling 220.3 million tonnes (MT), down from 242.6 MT in the same period the previous fiscal year.

This significant reduction translated into foreign exchange savings of approximately USD 6.93 billion (RS 53,137.82 crore), signaling a major stride toward energy self-reliance, the the Coal Ministry said.

According to the Ministry, the drop was most pronounced in the Non-Regulated Sector, where imports fell by 15.3 per cent year-on-year.

Notably, even as coal-based power generation rose by 2.87 per cent, imports for blending by thermal power plants plunged by nearly 39 per cent, underscoring the country's co...