Coal Ministry Holds Mumbai Roadshow to Promote Coal Gasification Projects
Mumbai, June 18 (TNT): The Ministry of Coal on Thursday organised the third roadshow on the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal and Lignite Gasification Projects in Mumbai, aimed at accelerating investments and industry participation in India’s coal gasification programme.
The event was attended by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy, Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, senior government officials, industry representatives, technology providers and investors.
Addressing the gathering, Kishan Reddy said Maharashtra was emerging as a key hub for coal gasification, with five projects already under development and strong support from Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), which produces around 70 million tonnes of coal annually.
He said India, with over 400 billion tonnes of coal reserves, has a significant opportunity to convert coal into high-value products such as methanol, ammonia, hydrogen, fertilisers, ethanol, sustainable aviation fuel and chemicals, reducing import dependence and strengthening domestic manufacturing.
Kishan Reddy said coal gasification would play a crucial role in achieving energy security, industrial self-reliance and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, while supporting India’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070 through cleaner utilisation of coal resources.
He reiterated the government’s target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 under the National Coal Gasification Mission and invited stakeholder feedback on the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) released for the incentive scheme.
Speaking on the occasion, Fadnavis said Mumbai had a historic association with coal gasification dating back to 1862 and was once again positioned to play a leading role in the sector’s development.
He said coal gasification offers a cleaner and more efficient pathway for utilising domestic coal resources, while creating employment, strengthening energy security and supporting manufacturing growth.
The Chief Minister assured investors of Maharashtra’s support in providing a conducive investment environment and highlighted the state’s commitment to facilitating coal gasification projects.
Satish Chandra Dubey said coal gasification presents a major opportunity to derive greater value from India’s coal reserves while promoting cleaner industrial development. He urged industry stakeholders to actively participate in building a robust domestic coal gasification ecosystem.
The roadshow featured presentations on the scheme’s framework, eligibility criteria, bidding process and financing mechanisms.
Industry participants including Air Products, Greta Energy and NTPC showcased technological advancements and project opportunities in the sector.
An interactive session was also held during which ministry officials addressed stakeholder queries on project implementation, financing, technology adoption and regulatory provisions, reflecting strong industry interest in coal gasification projects.
TNT KS
