New Delhi, March 20 -- India is on course to exceed 1 billion tonnes of coal production in the ongoing financial year 2024-25, CNBC-TV18 reported, citing government sources.

As the second-largest coal producer globally, India will join China as the only country surpassing the 1 billion tonnes mark in annual coal production.

However, despite domestic output growth, coal imports continue to meet peak summer power demand.

Currently, coal stocks at power plants stand at 49 million tonnes, sufficient for 21 days of consumption.

To reduce dependence on coal and shield against volatile global prices, the government is intensifying efforts to expand renewable energy-based power generation.

Meanwhile, recent rainfall and snowfall in North Ind...