Coal Gasification Push Gains Momentum at Hyderabad Roadshow

Addressing stakeholders, Reddy highlighted India's nearly 400 billion tonnes of coal reserves, among the largest in the world, and pointed out that coal remains central to the country's energy needs.

The Ministry of Coal concluded a major roadshow on coal and lignite gasification projects in Hyderabad, bringing together industry leaders, investors, technology providers, financial institutions, coal companies, and government representatives. The event focused on expanding India's coal gasification sector and encouraging cleaner, value-added use of the country's vast coal reserves.

Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy attended the programme as Chief Guest, while Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey joined as Guest of Honour. Senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, including Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, were also present. The roadshow featured discussions on investment prospects, policy support, emerging technologies, project implementation, and measures needed to build a strong coal gasification ecosystem across the country.

Coal Gasification Seen as Key to Reducing Import Dependence

Addressing stakeholders, Reddy highlighted India's nearly 400 billion tonnes of coal reserves, among the largest in the world, and pointed out that coal remains central to the country's energy needs. He said India continues to import large volumes of methanol, ammonia, fertilizer feedstocks, and industrial chemicals despite possessing abundant coal resources.

According to the minister, coal gasification offers an opportunity to convert domestic coal into valuable products, strengthen energy security, reduce import bills, and support economic growth. He said the government's recently approved combined coal gasification initiative worth ₹46,000 crore is expected to accelerate large-scale projects and attract fresh investments.

Reddy also invited industry stakeholders to provide feedback on the Draft Request for Proposal (RFP), which has been placed in the public domain as part of a consultative approach. He stressed that transparency, ease of doing business, and investor confidence would remain at the centre of the programme's implementation. Describing the sector as a future growth engine, he said India has the resources, policy support, and commitment needed to emerge as a major destination for coal gasification investments.

Industry, States and Technology Providers Explore New Partnerships

Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey said coal gasification can play a significant role in strengthening India's self-reliance by enabling domestic production of fuels, fertilizers, chemicals, and other industrial inputs. He noted that the ₹37,500 crore promotion scheme reflects the government's determination to make better use of India's coal resources while creating jobs and attracting advanced technologies.

Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt emphasized that coal gasification can help reduce dependence on imports and build resilient domestic supply chains. He encouraged industry players, financial institutions, and technology providers to actively participate in shaping the final framework of the scheme. A detailed presentation on the Draft RFP explained eligibility conditions, bidding procedures, incentives, coal linkage provisions, project milestones, and evaluation criteria. Indigenous technologies developed by BHEL and CIMFR were also showcased during the event. Maharashtra presented its policy incentives for cluster-based development, while Chhattisgarh and Telangana highlighted investment opportunities in the sector.

The roadshow concluded with strong interest from investors and industry participants. Government officials reiterated that coal gasification will be a major pillar of India's energy and industrial strategy, supporting manufacturing growth, employment generation, import substitution, and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.