The Union Ministry of Coal has called on the Uttar Pradesh government to expedite development of the Saharpur Jamarpani captive coal block in Jharkhand, saying the site — with recoverable reserves of over 973 million tonnes — remains unoperational more than a decade after it was allotted to Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (UPRVUNL).
Centre flags decade‑long delay
In a statement issued in New Delhi, the Ministry noted the block, located in Dumka district, was allotted to UPRVUNL on 13 August 2015 under the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015. The allotment was intended to supply coal to UPRVUNL's thermal power projects, but the Ministry said that even after more than 10 years the block has not been operationalised.
The Ministry's advisory comes amid recent media reports suggesting Uttar Pradesh was experiencing a severe power shortage because of coal supply disruptions. The Ministry sought to clarify the immediate supply situation, saying that as of 15 September 2026 none of UPRVUNL's thermal power plants were in the critical‑stock category.
State plants still dependent on Coal India
Because Saharpur Jamarpani is not producing coal, the Ministry pointed out, UPRVUNL's thermal units continue to depend entirely on Coal India Limited (CIL) for their fuel needs. The Ministry contrasted the stalled status of Saharpur Jamarpani with the fact that 14 other captive coal blocks allotted for power sector use on or after Saharpur Jamarpani have already been operationalised and are supplying coal to their end‑use plants.
The Ministry advised Uttar Pradesh to take "urgent steps" to develop the block to reduce dependence on external coal sources and to strengthen long‑term fuel security for its thermal plants. No timeline or project schedule for operationalisation was provided in the Ministry's statement.
Coal stock situation at UPRVUNL plants
To address immediate concerns over power shortages, the Ministry released stock figures showing improvement at UPRVUNL plants. Coal stock rose from 7.25 lakh tonnes on 1 September 2026 to 8.41 lakh tonnes on 15 September 2026. It also said average daily coal receipts during the seven days prior to 15 September were steady, indicating continued supply support from CIL.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Saharpur Jamarpani recoverable reserves | 973 million tonnes |
| Date of allotment to UPRVUNL | 13 August 2015 |
| Coal stock at UPRVUNL plants (1 Sept 2026) | 7.25 lakh tonnes |
| Coal stock at UPRVUNL plants (15 Sept 2026) | 8.41 lakh tonnes |
Why the Saharpur Jamarpani delay matters for UP
- Captive blocks are meant to provide assured, long‑term fuel to specific power projects, lowering procurement risk and exposure to market or logistical disruptions.
- UP, India's most populous state, relies heavily on thermal power; developing captive mines can reduce dependence on external suppliers such as CIL and strengthen energy security.
- Operationalising large reserves like Saharpur Jamarpani could also help diversify coal sourcing and potentially lower fuel costs for UPRVUNL.
The Ministry's statement did not list the reasons for the delay in operationalisation, nor did it specify whether clearances, land acquisition, environmental approvals or other operational hurdles were responsible. It also did not report any recent remedial steps taken by UPRVUNL or the Uttar Pradesh government in response to earlier queries.
Immediate impact and next steps
According to the Ministry, the present coal stock trends do not indicate a plant‑level critical constraint. Nevertheless, the advisory to expedite development signals a push from the Centre for states to reduce medium‑to‑long‑term dependence on market supplies. The Ministry pointed to the example of other captive blocks allotted after Saharpur Jamarpani that have been brought into production.
It will be for the Uttar Pradesh government and UPRVUNL to respond with a project plan, timelines and a roadmap for clearances and mine development if they intend to operationalise the block. Until then, Coal India will continue to be the primary supplier meeting the state's thermal coal requirements, the Ministry said.
The development bears watching for policymakers and consumers in Uttar Pradesh because progress on the block could affect fuel costs and continuity of power supply in the medium term.
