Rajasthan's RVUNL sets coal unloading record at Suratgarh, Chhabra plants
Synopsis
Rajasthan's state power utility RVUNL has quietly rewritten its own operational record book — Suratgarh unloaded 750-plus coal rakes without a single demurrage charge, surpassing its previous best of 485 by over 54%. With Chhabra adding 521 more, the twin milestones signal a structural shift in how the state manages fuel logistics and keeps electricity costs in check.
Key Takeaways
RVUNL 's Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Project unloaded more than 750 coal rakes without demurrage between 4 September 2025 and 23 May 2026 .
Chhabra Thermal Power Project completed 521 demurrage-free rake unloadings between 2 November 2025 and 23 May 2026 .
The Suratgarh record surpasses RVUNL's previous high of 485 rakes set between February and July 2025 — a jump of more than 54% .
Zero demurrage helps control coal transportation costs, supporting affordable electricity generation across Rajasthan .
Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar and Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra congratulated CMD Devendra Shringi and plant teams for the achievement.
Rajasthan Rajya Vidyut Utpadan Nigam Limited (RVUNL) has achieved a landmark operational milestone, with its Suratgarh and Chhabra thermal power stations completing record-breaking runs of continuous coal rake unloading without incurring a single rupee in demurrage charges. The feat, confirmed on 23 May 2026, underscores a significant improvement in fuel logistics management across Rajasthan's state-owned power generation infrastructure.
Record Numbers at Both Stations
The 1,500 MW Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Project (6x250 MW) unloaded more than 750 coal rakes without demurrage between 4 September 2025 and 23 May 2026. In parallel, the 1,000 MW Chhabra Thermal Power Project (4x250 MW) completed 521 coal rakes without demurrage between 2 November 2025 and 23 May 2026.
Demurrage charges are levied by Indian Railways when coal rakes are not unloaded within the prescribed timeframe. Avoiding them directly reduces the cost of coal transportation — a significant input expense for thermal power generators.
Previous Benchmark Surpassed
The current achievement eclipses RVUNL's own earlier record, set by the Suratgarh Thermal Power Station, which had unloaded 485 coal rakes without demurrage between 27 February and 27 July 2025. The new tally of 750-plus rakes at the same station represents a more than 54% jump over that previous high.
Officials attributed the performance to efficient operation and maintenance of coal handling systems at both stations, supported by round-the-clock unloading operations carried out by dedicated plant personnel.
What the Government Said
Rajasthan Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar congratulated the management and employees of both power stations, expressing confidence that other plants under the corporation would pursue similar benchmarks in operational efficiency.
Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra also commended the achievement, congratulating RVUNL Chairman and Managing Director Devendra Shringi and his team. She called on all generating stations to adopt improved operational practices, strengthen teamwork, and raise performance standards further.
CMD Devendra Shringi described the milestone as a reflection of effective management and employee commitment. 'The record demonstrates the hard work, coordination and operational efficiency of our teams,' Shringi said.
Impact on Consumers and Power Reliability
By maintaining zero demurrage across both stations, RVUNL has succeeded in controlling coal transportation costs — a saving that, according to the corporation, contributes to keeping electricity generation affordable for consumers across Rajasthan. The achievement is being viewed as a meaningful step towards improved fuel management, lower operational expenditure, and more reliable power supply statewide.
With leadership at the state level publicly backing the initiative, RVUNL appears positioned to extend these operational standards to its remaining generating stations in the months ahead.
Point of View
But the financial stakes are real — every hour a coal rake sits idle costs the utility money that ultimately flows into tariff calculations. RVUNL's back-to-back record runs at Suratgarh and Chhabra suggest the gains are systemic rather than one-off. The harder question is whether these efficiencies are being tracked against actual power availability metrics: lower input costs mean little if plant load factors or outage hours are not also improving. Rajasthan has historically struggled with supply reliability; operational logistics wins need to translate into uninterrupted megawatts before consumers feel the difference.
NationPress
8 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is demurrage in the context of coal transportation?
Demurrage is a penalty charge levied by Indian Railways when coal rakes are not unloaded within the prescribed time window after arrival at a power plant. Avoiding demurrage directly reduces a utility's fuel logistics costs.
What records did RVUNL's Suratgarh and Chhabra plants set?
The Suratgarh Super Thermal Power Project unloaded more than 750 coal rakes without demurrage between 4 September 2025 and 23 May 2026, while the Chhabra Thermal Power Project completed 521 demurrage-free unloadings between 2 November 2025 and 23 May 2026. Both figures are the highest in RVUNL's history.
How does this compare to RVUNL's previous record?
RVUNL's earlier benchmark was 485 demurrage-free rake unloadings at Suratgarh between 27 February and 27 July 2025. The new tally of 750-plus rakes at the same station exceeds that figure by more than 54%.
Why does this matter for Rajasthan's electricity consumers?
By eliminating demurrage charges, RVUNL reduces its coal transportation costs, which helps keep electricity generation more affordable. The corporation has stated that the savings contribute to stable power tariffs for consumers across Rajasthan.
Who is responsible for the achievement at RVUNL?
RVUNL Chairman and Managing Director Devendra Shringi credited the milestone to round-the-clock efforts by plant employees and efficient coal handling systems. Energy Minister Hiralal Nagar and Energy Secretary Aarti Dogra both publicly congratulated Shringi and his teams.
