Page 6 - NIS English 16-30 April, 2026

Preventing Power India Achieves 1 Billion
NEWS BRIEFS
Shortages During the Summer Tonne Coal Production
The country currently possesses an adequate supply Milestone Again
of electricity. As of February 2026, the nation’s
installed generation capacity stands at 524 GW. With the sustained and coordinated
Since April 2014, India has successfully resolved efforts across the coal sector and
the critical issue of power deficits by adding 299.87 the invaluable contribution of
GW of new generation capacity. Consequently, all stakeholders, the country has
India has transformed from a power-deficient successfully achieved the landmark
nation into a country with a surplus of electricity. of 1 billion tonne (BT) coal
Despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, production on March 20, 2026
comprehensive arrangements have been made to for the second year in a row. This
generate electricity from alternative sources to meet significant milestone underscores
the projected demand during the summer months India’s growing self-reliance in the
of April to June 2026. Progress is well underway energy sector and its commitment to
regarding both the commissioning of new power ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply
plants and the construction of others (thermal and to key industries. This enhanced and
hydro), all of which are on track to be completed sustained coal production level has
within their stipulated timelines. Power generation enabled the country to effectively
companies have been issued directives to ensure meet rising energy demands while
full operational availability and maintain maximum supporting the power sector in
production levels on a daily basis. maintaining record-high coal stock
levels at coal-based thermal power
plants. The achievement reflects
robust planning, efficient execution,
and strengthened coordination across
the coal value chain.

Hatching of a Great Indian
Bustard chick in Gujarat
A significant milestone in the conservation of the critically
endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB). Gujarat witnessed the birth
of a chick after a decade,
in Kutch, Gujarat.
This achievement was
made possible through an
innovative conservation
strategy known as the
‘Jumpstart Approach’; this
method was necessitated
by the fact that the
grasslands of Kutch, Gujarat, are currently home to only three female
GIBs, with no surviving males remaining in the region. As part of this
initiative, an egg was transported from a breeding centre in Rajasthan,
traversing a distance of 770 kilometres, to a designated nest site in
Gujarat. This marks the country’s first-ever interstate implementation
of the GIB Jumpstart Approach, an endeavour that has been
successfully executed in Gujarat. ‘Project GIB’ was conceptualized by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2011 with the aim of conserving
the Great Indian Bustard across its natural habitats, including those in
Gujarat. The project was formally launched in 2016.

4 NEW INDIA SAMACHAR || April 16-30, 2026