The Ministry of Coal successfully organized the third Roadshow on the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects in Mumbai today, reinforcing its commitment to accelerating coal gasification and fostering greater industry participation in India's clean energy transition. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from leading industry stakeholders, State representative’s technology providers, investors, coal companies and sector experts, reflecting the growing interest in coal gasification as a transformative avenue for value addition to the country's abundant coal resources.

The Roadshow was graced by Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister of Maharashtra as Special Guest and Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, as the Chief Guest. Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, was the Guest of Honour at the event. The event was also attended by Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal; Smt. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, along with senior officers of the Ministry, representatives of Coal PSUs, industry leaders, technology providers, investors and other key stakeholders from across the coal and energy sectors.

In his address, Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy highlighted Maharashtra's emergence as a frontrunner in advancing coal gasification, stating that the State has proactively created an enabling ecosystem by ensuring the availability of land, power and supporting infrastructure for such projects. He noted that with five coal gasification projects already under development and the strong presence of Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), which produces about 70 million tonnes of coal annually, Maharashtra possesses the resources and industrial ecosystem required to evolve into a major coal gasification hub. He described the State as a model for cooperative federalism, where the Centre, the State Government and industry are working in close partnership to unlock the full potential of coal gasification. He emphasized that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government is committed to strengthening energy security, reducing import dependence and advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Shri Reddy emphasised that India, endowed with the world's fifth-largest coal reserves of over 400 billion tonnes, has the opportunity to convert its abundant coal resources into high-value products that can transform the country's industrial landscape. He noted that India is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of coal, with Coal India Limited being the largest coal-producing company globally and the Gevra mine in Chhattisgarh among the world's largest coal mines. While coal continues to meet over 70 per cent of India's electricity demand and contributes nearly 55 per cent of the country's energy mix, he said the Government remains firmly committed to achieving the Net Zero target by 2070 through cleaner and more efficient utilisation of domestic coal resources.

Describing coal gasification as a strategic pillar of India's future, the Minister said it is central to achieving long-term energy security, import substitution, industrial self-reliance and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He highlighted that coal gasification enables the production of syngas, methanol, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen, ethanol, urea, sustainable aviation fuel, DRI-grade reducing gas and several other value-added chemicals. These products, which are currently imported in significant quantities, can increasingly be manufactured domestically through coal gasification, resulting in substantial foreign exchange savings, reduced import dependence and the creation of new industrial value chains across sectors including fertilisers, steel, chemicals, transport and clean energy.

Referring to the National Coal Gasification Mission, Shri Reddy said the Government has set an ambitious target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, and expressed confidence that the Government's incentive scheme would catalyse large-scale investments, accelerate technology adoption and establish India as a global leader in coal gasification. He noted that the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation and invited constructive suggestions and feedback to further strengthen the implementation framework. Finally, he urged all stakeholders to take ownership of the initiative and work collectively towards making India's coal gasification programme a global success story.

In his insightful discourse, Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shri Devendra Fadnavis remarked that the roadshow on Surface Coal & Lignite Gasification rightfully belongs to Mumbai, as the city's association with coal gasification dates back to 1862. He said that while Mumbai had led the way in coal gasification then, today history is repeating itself as the city once again takes center stage in advancing this transformative technology.

The Chief Minister stated that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and through the sustained efforts of the Ministry of Coal, India is entering a new era of coal gasification powered by modern technologies. Emphasizing that Atmanirbhar Bharat is the pathway to Viksit Bharat, he said that energy security is fundamental to India's growth and resilience. He observed that excessive dependence on imports makes the country vulnerable to global geopolitical developments and supply chain disruptions, reinforcing the need to become self-reliant in meeting the nation's energy and industrial requirements. He noted that while India is rapidly expanding renewable and clean energy, conventional energy sources will continue to play a critical role in meeting the country's growing energy demand. He described coal gasification as a milestone in India's journey towards self-reliance and sustainable development. He said the technology offers a cleaner and more efficient pathway for utilising domestic coal resources while reducing import dependence, strengthening domestic manufacturing, generating employment opportunities and enhancing national energy security. He added that coal gasification would significantly expand the country's portfolio of value-added products, including chemicals, fertilizers, methanol, hydrogen and other industrial feedstocks, thereby strengthening India's manufacturing ecosystem and giving fresh momentum to the nation's economy.

Inviting investors and industry leaders to partner in this transformative journey, Shri Fadnavis reaffirmed the Maharashtra Government's commitment to providing a conducive investment ecosystem, stating that the success of investors is intrinsically linked to the success of the nation.

Addressing the gathering, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, said that coal gasification presents a significant opportunity to unlock greater value from India's vast coal reserves while promoting cleaner and more efficient utilization of coal. He emphasized that the Government is committed to creating an enabling environment through supportive policies, technological innovation and close engagement with industry to accelerate commercially viable coal gasification projects. He urged stakeholders to actively participate in the initiative and contribute towards building a robust domestic coal gasification ecosystem that supports industrial growth, employment generation and the vision of a self-reliant India.

In his opening address, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, described the Cabinet-approved scheme as one of the Government of India's most significant industrial initiatives, aimed at transforming the country's coal sector and strengthening long-term energy security. He noted that the Mumbai event, the third roadshow in the series, is part of the Ministry's continued engagement with industry stakeholders to build awareness and facilitate effective implementation of the scheme. Emphasizing that the initiative goes far beyond coal gasification, he said it seeks to create new industrial capabilities, reduce import dependence, promote high-value manufacturing of downstream products, generate investments and employment, and unlock the full potential of India's abundant coal resources in support of the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. He highlighted the encouraging response to the ₹8,500 crore incentive scheme approved in January 2024, under which eight projects involving investments of over ₹65,000 crore are already under implementation with incentive support of ₹6,233 crore, covering diverse sectors such as coal-to-SNG, ethanol, hydrogen, acetic acid, ammonium nitrate, DRI-based steel and sustainable aviation fuel. Stressing that the success of the National Coal Gasification Mission depends not only on Government support but equally on the vision, innovation, investment and execution capabilities of industry, he described the new scheme as a collaborative national commitment rather than merely a financial incentive programme. He further underlined that the scheme is technology-agnostic, providing developers the flexibility to adopt technologies best suited to their feedstock and product requirements, while encouraging the development of indigenous technologies tailored to India's high-ash coal. Inviting active participation from stakeholders, Shri Dutt informed that the Scheme framework and the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) have been placed in the public domain for stakeholder feedback, with the consultation timeline extended to enable wider participation. He urged industry to provide constructive feedback to help co-create a robust, transparent and industry-responsive framework for successful implementation of the scheme.

The Roadshow comprised detailed presentations on the Scheme framework, eligibility criteria, bidding process and the draft Request for Proposal (RFP). Presentations by Air Products, Greta Energy and NTPC highlighted technological advancements, project development strategies and emerging opportunities in the coal gasification sector. The Government of Maharashtra showcased its policy incentives for cluster-based development, while the State Bank of India shared insights on financing mechanisms for coal gasification projects. The presentations provided stakeholders with a comprehensive understanding of the policy, technological and financial ecosystem for accelerating coal gasification projects in the country.

The roadshow also featured an interactive Q&A session, during which union minister and senior officers of the Ministry addressed stakeholders' queries and provided detailed clarifications on various aspects of the Scheme, including project implementation, technology adoption, financing, regulatory provisions and the bidding process. The discussions reflected strong industry confidence and highlighted the immense potential of coal gasification to drive industrial growth while promoting cleaner and more efficient utilisation of India's abundant coal resources.

The Ministry of Coal remains committed to advancing coal gasification as a key pillar of India's future energy and industrial landscape. The successful Mumbai Roadshow further reinforces the Government's resolve to build a globally competitive coal gasification ecosystem through sustained policy support, technological advancement and close partnership with industry, contributing to the vision of an Atmanirbhar Bharat.

 

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Shuhaib T

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