Ministry of Coal Hosts Roadshow on Coal Gasification in Mumbai
Ms. Brar underlined the Government’s focus on indigenous technology development, R&D, innovation and private partnerships to scale up coal gasification
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 and technology providers to accelerate India’s transition towards cleaner and more efficient coal use.
Delivering the keynote address, Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary & Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, highlighted the milestone of crossing 1 billion tonnes of coal production, terming it a landmark achievement in India’s growth story. She stressed that while coal remains India’s primary energy source, gasification will be a central pillar of the country’s energy transition and industrial expansion, offering a cleaner way to harness domestic coal reserves.
Ms. Brar underlined the Government’s focus on indigenous technology development, R&D, innovation and private partnerships to scale up coal gasification. She urged stakeholders to align investments with global best practices in sustainability, circular economy and environmental protection.
A detailed presentation showcased how coal gasification converts coal into syngas (hydrogen, carbon monoxide, methane and carbon dioxide), which can be used to produce electricity, fertilizers, chemicals and hydrogen. Special emphasis was placed on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG), which enables in-situ gasification of deep, unmineable coal seams with minimal surface disturbance and reduced water usage. UCG-derived products such as methanol, DME and synthetic natural gas can play a vital role in India’s clean fuel and hydrogen economy initiatives.
The Ministry has initiated stakeholder consultations with state governments, MoEFCC, DGMS and CGWB to ensure safety standards, and has set up a dedicated committee to integrate UCG provisions into mining guidelines. Approvals are also being streamlined to enable inclusion of gasification projects in upcoming coal mine auctions.
The roadshow concluded with an interactive Q&A session, enabling direct engagement between stakeholders, policymakers and technology experts.
With robust policy support and technological innovation, the Ministry of Coal aims to establish coal gasification, including UCG, as a key pillar of India’s sustainable and secure energy future.
