As the demand for coal increases in the country, Coal India Ltd is looking at importing coal to cater the domestic market. As per the industry resources, the rise in demand is due mainly due to coking coal. The country is falling short by 4-5% of the actual demand of coal.

Coal India is looking at Thai, Australian and Indonesian coal fields for importing non-coking coal. Steel companies import coal on their own.

As per reports from Coal India Ltd. (CIL), the UPA government will allow the import of coal within few days. CIL plans to import nearly 10- 15 million tonne of coal. CIL has sent its recommendations to government already.

In a press statement, CIL official said, "Centre will allow CIL to import coal after it announces the new coal sale policy expected this week. Our import would be around 10-15 million tonne. The total shortfall in supply is about 30-35 million tonne and coking coal is 20 million tonne."

There has been a steady rise in demand of coal. There are some thermal power units which consume lot of coal every day. Coal India has also been in trouble which acquiring land for mining in Jharkhand. To meet the current surge in demand, import of coal is the best solution.