New Delhi, Sept. 8 -- Coal minister G. Kishan Reddy said on Tuesday that over 123 million tonnes of coal was available across mines, in transit and at thermal plants, enough to meet electricity demand for 51 days.

Reddy's comments come amid concerns that several thermal power plants across the country were running on critically low coal stocks, fuelling fears of power shortages.

He said that coal output and supplies would improve as the rains subside. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, the minister said about 100 million tonnes of coal was at mine pitheads or in transit, while thermal power plants held about 23.7 million tonnes.

"There was a period of around 10 days when due to rains, supplies were impacted. Now production is increasing...