M Nagaraju, Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Coal, announced that India's coal sector is poised to increase its production to around 1.1 billion tonnes next year, showing a compound annual growth rate of 11 % over the preceding two years. He made these remarks at the FICCI workshop titled 'Coal Matrix for Indian Metals Industry', where he detailed the government's comprehensive strategy for the coal sector, emphasizing efforts to diminish reliance on imports and enhance domestic capabilities.

Nagaraju disclosed that the government has launched the coking coal mission with a strategic goal of achieving 140 million tons by 2030. As part of this initiative, he revealed plans to establish eight coking coal washeries to meet the rising demand from the steel industry. He projected, "By 2029-30, we should have the capacity to produce as much coal as the country demands and be in a position to supply coal to other countries."

Additionally, the Ministry of Coal is finalizing a policy to facilitate the washery route for coking coal, aimed at providing washed coking coal to the steel industry to blend with imported coal. This step is designed to enhance the quality of domestic coal and decrease the steel sector's dependence on foreign coal.

The government is also promoting coal gasification, earmarking Rs 8,500 crore to support the establishment of coal gasification plants by both private and public sectors, noted Nagaraju, highlighting the potential for industry diversification.

Avinash Kumar Mishra, Executive Director (Coal) at the Railway Board, emphasized logistical support initiatives for the coal sector, mentioning plans for specialized wagons dedicated to transporting coal, especially for the burgeoning coal gasification market. Mishra also acknowledged a significant improvement in coal availability over the past two years, attributed partly to increased imports which are expected to diminish as domestic production rises.