The Ministry of Coal today organised a high-level Roadshow on Coal Gasification – Surface and Underground Technologies in Mumbai, bringing together policymakers, industry leaders, investors, technology providers, and other stakeholders to accelerate India’s shift towards cleaner and more efficient use of coal.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, highlighted India’s historic achievement of surpassing 1 billion tonnes of coal production, calling it a landmark milestone that reinforces coal’s central role in driving the nation’s growth. She underlined that while coal remains India’s predominant energy source, gasification offers an environmentally friendlier pathway by transforming coal into clean fuels, fertilisers, chemicals, and other value-added products — reducing import dependence and supporting national self-reliance.
Ms. Brar emphasised the Government’s vision to position coal gasification as a key pillar of India’s energy transition and industrial expansion. She called for scaling up indigenous technologies, boosting R&D, fostering private partnerships, and developing viable business models to ensure long-term sustainability. She urged all stakeholders to align investments with global best practices in environmental protection, decarbonization, circular economy, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
A detailed presentation during the roadshow explained how coal gasification converts coal into synthetic gas (syngas) containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane, and carbon dioxide. This syngas can be used for electricity generation, fertiliser and chemical production, and as a feedstock for hydrogen — supporting India’s clean fuel and hydrogen economy initiatives. The session also focused on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), which enables in-situ gasification of deep, unmineable seams with minimal surface disturbance and reduced water usage. UCG-derived syngas and hydrogen can be harnessed to produce cleaner fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether (DME), and synthetic natural gas (SNG).
As part of its action plan, the Ministry has held extensive consultations with state governments, MoEFCC, DGMS, and CGWB to ensure strong safety and regulatory frameworks. A dedicated committee is reviewing mining plan guidelines to incorporate UCG-specific provisions, and efforts are underway to integrate them into upcoming coal mine auctions.
The event concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where stakeholders discussed policy frameworks, technology options, and investment opportunities in coal gasification.
With cleaner technology backed by robust policy support, the Ministry of Coal reaffirmed its commitment to making coal gasification, including UCG, a central pillar of India’s sustainable and secure energy future, unlocking new economic opportunities while reducing the environmental footprint of coal use.
