G. Kishan Reddy Inaugurates Exhibition Highlighting Sustainable Coal Practices and Energy Resilience

The exhibit outlines CIL’s domestic exploration as well as international ventures, contributing to the reduction of foreign dependency and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agenda.

Union Minister for Coal & Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, inaugurated the Coal India Limited (CIL) Pavilion at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) 2025, hosted at Bharat Mandapam, Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The event marked a pivotal moment in projecting India’s coal sector not only as a foundation of energy security but also as a driver of innovation, clean technology, and national self-reliance.

Joining the Minister at the inauguration were Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal & Chairman of CIL; Shri Sanjeev Kumar Kassi and Shri Lakhpat Singh Choudhary, Joint Secretaries in the Ministry of Coal; and several senior officials from CIL and its subsidiaries.

A Vision of Energy Security and Technological Transformation

The CIL Pavilion offers an immersive experience into India’s evolving coal ecosystem. Built on the themes of energy resilience, technology integration, and sustainability, the exhibit demonstrates how India is transforming traditional mining into a forward-looking, climate-sensitive, and digitally empowered sector.

Visitors are introduced to Opencast Mining techniques through interactive displays and digital storytelling. These methods remain central to India's coal production, ensuring affordable energy access while balancing environmental concerns.

One of the marquee attractions is the showcase of Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications in coal mining. Through real-time analytics, predictive maintenance, and automated safety monitoring, AI is streamlining operations and enhancing compliance with occupational safety standards, especially in high-risk zones.

Virtual Reality (VR): A Leap in Safety Training

A crowd-puller at the pavilion is the live VR demonstration, which simulates real mining environments. Using immersive VR modules, trainees can practice emergency protocols, equipment handling, and hazard recognition—without physical risks. The use of Virtual Reality marks a significant shift from conventional chalkboard or in-situ training, making workforce development safer, faster, and more engaging.

This initiative reflects CIL’s commitment to human capital development, especially in sectors where safety is paramount. It also reinforces the coal sector’s transformation from a conventional mining system to a digitally literate, tech-empowered industry.

Coal Gasification and Clean Coal Technologies

A centerpiece of the pavilion is the Ministry of Coal’s push for coal gasification—a strategic initiative aligned with India’s vision of clean coal. Gasification allows for cleaner conversion of coal into synthesis gas, which can then be used in fertilizers, fuels, and petrochemicals.

Coal gasification is pivotal for India's net-zero transition, helping reduce particulate pollution while still leveraging domestic coal reserves. It also supports import substitution, especially in the production of chemicals and industrial fuels.

CIL’s Expanding Footprint in Critical Minerals

Another highlight is CIL’s forward-looking strategy to acquire critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt, which are vital to clean energy technologies, including batteries, solar panels, and electric vehicles.

With India targeting massive electrification and digitalization under programs like the National Electric Mobility Mission and PLI schemes, securing access to rare earths and strategic minerals has become a national priority.

The exhibit outlines CIL’s domestic exploration as well as international ventures, contributing to the reduction of foreign dependency and supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agenda.

Ecological Restoration and CSR Outreach

The pavilion also highlights CIL’s eco-tourism and ecological restoration projects, demonstrating how abandoned or reclaimed mines can be repurposed into community-centric green spaces. These initiatives align with India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan, offering examples of harmony between industrial growth and environmental stewardship.

CIL’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs are showcased in dedicated panels, covering healthcare, education, skill development, and livelihood support in mining-affected regions. These efforts reiterate the company’s role not just as an energy supplier, but also as a community builder.

A Platform for Public Engagement and Policy Awareness

As one of the most prominent pavilions at IITF 2025, the CIL exhibit draws attention from policymakers, educators, researchers, youth groups, and industry leaders, serving as a platform for dialogue, knowledge sharing, and stakeholder engagement.

It positions Coal India as more than a conventional public-sector unit—emerging instead as a technological innovator, climate-conscious actor, and policy enabler in India's broader developmental narrative.

Commitment to a Resilient and Sustainable Future

Speaking at the inauguration, Shri G. Kishan Reddy emphasized, “India’s coal sector is not just about energy production—it is about resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth. With forward-looking initiatives such as gasification, critical mineral acquisition, and AI integration, we are preparing India for a sustainable, self-reliant future.”

The Ministry of Coal and CIL remain committed to balancing energy security with ecological responsibility, enabling India to meet its growing energy demands while supporting the global climate agenda.