New Delhi: The coal sector has demonstrated a remarkable growth of 7.5% (provisional) to 199.6 points in November 2024, compared to 185.7 points in November 2023, among the eight core industries, as per the Index of Eight Core Industries (ICI) (Base Year 2011-12) released by the Ministry of Commerce & Industries. The coal industry index has reached 172.9 points during the period April-November 2024, compared to 162.5 points during the same period last year, showcasing the highest growth of 6.4% among all eight core industries.

The ICI measures the combined and individual performance of production in eight core industries, namely cement, coal, crude oil, electricity, fertilizers, natural gas, refinery products, and steel.

The Combined Index of Eight Core Industries experienced a notable 4.3% increase in November 2024, compared to the same period in the previous year. The index for the period April-November 2024 has increased by 4.2% compared to the corresponding period of the fiscal year 2023-24, highlighting the coal sector's substantial contribution to overall industrial expansion.

The driving force behind this growth can be attributed to a significant surge in coal production during April-November 2024, with output reaching an impressive 628.4 million tonnes, marking an increase of 6.4% compared to the same period in the previous year. This surge in production reflects the sector's capacity to meet the growing demand of energy and manufacturing industries.

BI Bureau