Can Indian power sector afford coal imports to meet spike in demand?

State discoms remain financially stressed and are against imports, while domestic coal availability is under pressure

The power sector is staring at a gloomy road ahead.

Demand in the country on Thursday touched a record high of 203 Gw owing to an intense heatwave and economic activities picking up speed.

This comes at a time when the Centre is pushing for imported coal -- after having shunned it for several years -- in the wake of a shortage in the domestic market.

But this has stretched the supply chain, which has to deal with a price of Rs 10,000 per tonne. At one end of the chain, state-owned power distribution companies (discoms) continue to be financially