The Ministry of Coal successfully hosted Chintan Shivir 2.0 today at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, providing a platform to foster innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in defining the future roadmap for the coal sector. The event was chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy, and co-chaired by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey. Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary (Coal), Additional Secretaries Ms. Rupinder Brar and Ms. Vismita Tej, along with all CMDs and Directors of coal PSUs, senior officers of Ministry, and key stakeholders, participated actively in the discussions.

In his keynote address at Chintan Shivir 2.0, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy, emphasized the vital role of the coal sector in ensuring India's energy security while addressing the challenges of sustainability and innovation. He reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to making the coal sector a key contributor to the Nation's energy transition, focusing on enhancing production, integrating cleaner technologies, and safeguarding the environment. Shri Reddy highlighted the need to align coal mining practices with global sustainability goals, including reducing carbon emissions through innovative technologies like coal gasification and adopting best practices for sustainability.

Shri Reddy stressed the importance of safety in mining operations, calling it a non-negotiable priority for all stakeholders. He urged coal PSUs and industry partners to adopt state-of-the-art technologies and implement rigorous safety standards to safeguard the lives of workers and ensure the well-being of the workforce. He underlined the necessity of developing robust mechanisms for mine closures, focusing on biodiversity conservation, land reclamation, and transforming mined-out areas into hubs of community activity and ecological balance.

The Minister further underscored the critical role of community involvement in achieving sustainable growth. "Coal mining must not only cater to the nation’s energy needs but also uplift the communities residing near mining areas," he said. Shri Reddy called upon coal PSUs and stakeholders to actively engage with local communities and self-help groups, promoting welfare programs that improve healthcare, education, and livelihoods. He emphasized that initiatives aimed at skill development, employment generation, and environmental stewardship should become intrinsic parts of coal sector operations.

In his remarks at Chintan Shivir 2.0, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, emphasized the need to make the coal sector future-ready by adopting innovative ideas and exploring transformative possibilities. He highlighted the importance of achieving a quantum leap in coal production to meet the nation’s growing energy aspirations while maintaining a thoughtful and systematic approach to accelerating production.

Shri Dutt also underlined the need for efficient, speedy, and cost-effective coal evacuation processes to streamline operations and ensure seamless coal dispatch. He reiterated the Ministry's commitment to sustainability, stressing the importance of systematic mine closures, restoration of biodiversity, and integrating environmentally conscious practices across all aspects of coal operations.

Chintan Shivir 2.0 featured two engaging panel discussions, which focused on key aspects shaping the coal sector.

The first panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Vismita Tej, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, addressed the future of coal in India. Participants deliberated on achieving the ambitious target of 2 billion tonnes of coal production, improving coal transportation systems, and adopting cleaner technologies like coal gasification to align with India's energy transition goals. They discussed strategies to bridge the gap between current coal production and the target of 2 BT, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive SWOT analysis of both captive and commercial coal blocks. Key points included improving coal viability by addressing cost competitiveness with green power and ensuring market-friendly coal solutions.

The discussion also highlighted the need for streamlining coal evacuation processes and enhancing transportation infrastructure, particularly through railways and captive coal evacuation modes. Future logistics strategies for both short- and long-distance coal transportation, with a focus on coastal and inland evacuation, were also explored. Additionally, the panel emphasized the government's focus on alternative coal uses, such as coal gasification, and the challenges related to transitioning to cleaner coal technologies, including the role of Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) in promoting sustainability.

The second panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, centered on Sustainable Coal Mining and Community Involvement. Discussions revolved around mine closures, biodiversity conservation, and transforming mine closure into an opportunity for livelihood generation. Emphasis was placed on involving local communities and self-help groups in sustainable initiatives to achieve balanced ecological and socio-economic development.

Shri G Kishan Reddy, felicitated coal PSUs for their exceptional performance under Special Campaign 4.0. Shri Reddy also interacted with top performers on the iGOT Karmayogi platform, commending their dedication to capacity building and skill enhancement. He lauded the iGOT initiative as a transformative tool to empower government employees with the skills necessary to excel in governance and deliver effective public service.

Chintan Shivir 2.0 concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to a sustainable, responsible, and inclusive coal-mining framework. The discussions emphasized the adoption of innovative technologies such as coal gasification, strengthening mine safety measures, and turning mined-out areas into biodiversity hubs. The outcomes of the Shivir aim to set a global benchmark for balancing energy demands with environmental and social responsibilities, ensuring the coal sector emerges as a key contributor to Atmanirbhar Bharat.

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