New Delhi, Sept. 3 -- India's coal stocks at its thermal power plants are at 47.5 million tonnes (mt), about 27% higher than the year-ago level of 37.2 mt, said two people in the know of the development. The fuel's stock has risen as above normal monsoon rains have led to lower-than-expected electricity demand, and also an increase in hydel power generation.

The coal inventory levels are adequate for nearly 24 days of operations of thermal power plants, with the daily consumption of coal currently at around 2 mt.

"The current stock is about 47.5 mt, compared to about 37 mt during the same period last year. Coal stocks are adequate and there is constant flow of supplies," said one of the two people cited above.

India's coal production h...