India Hosts Coal Gasification Roadshow to Promote Cleaner Energy
COAL & MINING

India Hosts Coal Gasification Roadshow to Promote Cleaner Energy

The Ministry of Coal hosted a high-level Roadshow on Coal Gasification – Surface and Underground Technologies in Mumbai, bringing together policy makers, industry leaders, investors, technology providers and other stakeholders to accelerate India’s shift towards cleaner and more efficient use of coal. The programme demonstrated how coal gasification can transform India’s vast coal reserves into sustainable energy sources and chemical feedstock, reduce import dependence and create new avenues for economic growth.

Delivering the keynote address, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, Ms Rupinder Brar, highlighted the historic milestone of crossing 1 billion tonnes of coal production, calling it a landmark achievement that underscores the sector’s pivotal role in powering India’s growth. She emphasised that coal remains the country’s predominant energy source and will continue to meet growing demand, driving economic growth and national development.

Ms Brar outlined the Ministry’s vision of positioning coal gasification as a central pillar of India’s energy transition and industrial expansion. She noted that coal gasification offers an environmentally friendlier method to utilise domestic coal reserves while producing clean fuels, chemicals, fertilisers and other value-added products essential for national self-reliance — a pathway that also reduces the ecological footprint of coal use.

The roadshow reflected the Government’s commitment to building a robust ecosystem for surface and underground coal gasification projects. Ms Brar urged stakeholders to scale up indigenous technologies, strengthen research and development, foster innovation, attract private investment, and develop viable business models. She emphasised aligning investments with global best practices in environmental protection, decarbonisation, circular economy principles and sustainable development goals to advance energy security, industrial competitiveness and environmental stewardship.

A detailed presentation highlighted the benefits, key enablers and methodology of coal gasification. Coal is converted into synthetic gas (syngas) containing hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), which can be used to generate electricity, produce fertilisers and chemicals, or serve as hydrogen feedstock. Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) was also showcased, which gasifies deep, unmineable coal seams in-situ using air, oxygen or steam. Hydrogen from UCG can support India’s clean fuel and hydrogen economy initiatives, while syngas and value-added products are generated through partial oxidation of CO and H₂.

UCG offers significant environmental and operational advantages. It exploits deep seams with minimal surface disturbance, uses less water than conventional coal processes, and enables production of cleaner fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether (DME) and synthetic natural gas (SNG).

The Ministry has conducted extensive stakeholder consultations with state governments, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Directorate General of Mines Safety and the Central Ground Water Board to ensure safety standards are understood and implemented. A dedicated committee has been formed to review mining plan guidelines and integrate UCG-specific provisions, while efforts are underway to streamline approvals and include these provisions in the next round of coal mine auctions.

An interactive Q&A session allowed stakeholders to engage directly with senior officials and experts on policy frameworks, technology options and investment avenues in coal gasification.

By combining cleaner technology with regulatory and policy support, the Ministry of Coal aims to make coal gasification, including UCG, a key pillar in India’s journey towards sustainable and secure energy. The roadshow reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to advancing innovative technologies and fostering partnerships to unlock new value streams from India’s coal reserves in an environmentally responsible manner.



The Ministry of Coal hosted a high-level Roadshow on Coal Gasification – Surface and Underground Technologies in Mumbai, bringing together policy makers, industry leaders, investors, technology providers and other stakeholders to accelerate India’s shift towards cleaner and more efficient use of coal. The programme demonstrated how coal gasification can transform India’s vast coal reserves into sustainable energy sources and chemical feedstock, reduce import dependence and create new avenues for economic growth.Delivering the keynote address, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, Ms Rupinder Brar, highlighted the historic milestone of crossing 1 billion tonnes of coal production, calling it a landmark achievement that underscores the sector’s pivotal role in powering India’s growth. She emphasised that coal remains the country’s predominant energy source and will continue to meet growing demand, driving economic growth and national development.Ms Brar outlined the Ministry’s vision of positioning coal gasification as a central pillar of India’s energy transition and industrial expansion. She noted that coal gasification offers an environmentally friendlier method to utilise domestic coal reserves while producing clean fuels, chemicals, fertilisers and other value-added products essential for national self-reliance — a pathway that also reduces the ecological footprint of coal use.The roadshow reflected the Government’s commitment to building a robust ecosystem for surface and underground coal gasification projects. Ms Brar urged stakeholders to scale up indigenous technologies, strengthen research and development, foster innovation, attract private investment, and develop viable business models. She emphasised aligning investments with global best practices in environmental protection, decarbonisation, circular economy principles and sustainable development goals to advance energy security, industrial competitiveness and environmental stewardship.A detailed presentation highlighted the benefits, key enablers and methodology of coal gasification. Coal is converted into synthetic gas (syngas) containing hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), which can be used to generate electricity, produce fertilisers and chemicals, or serve as hydrogen feedstock. Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) was also showcased, which gasifies deep, unmineable coal seams in-situ using air, oxygen or steam. Hydrogen from UCG can support India’s clean fuel and hydrogen economy initiatives, while syngas and value-added products are generated through partial oxidation of CO and H₂.UCG offers significant environmental and operational advantages. It exploits deep seams with minimal surface disturbance, uses less water than conventional coal processes, and enables production of cleaner fuels such as methanol, dimethyl ether (DME) and synthetic natural gas (SNG).The Ministry has conducted extensive stakeholder consultations with state governments, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Directorate General of Mines Safety and the Central Ground Water Board to ensure safety standards are understood and implemented. A dedicated committee has been formed to review mining plan guidelines and integrate UCG-specific provisions, while efforts are underway to streamline approvals and include these provisions in the next round of coal mine auctions.An interactive Q&A session allowed stakeholders to engage directly with senior officials and experts on policy frameworks, technology options and investment avenues in coal gasification.By combining cleaner technology with regulatory and policy support, the Ministry of Coal aims to make coal gasification, including UCG, a key pillar in India’s journey towards sustainable and secure energy. The roadshow reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to advancing innovative technologies and fostering partnerships to unlock new value streams from India’s coal reserves in an environmentally responsible manner. 

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Delhi Sets Eight-Month Deadline For Barapullah Phase-III

The Delhi government has set an eight-month deadline to complete the long-delayed Barapullah Phase-III elevated corridor project after receiving the final tree-related clearance from the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee. According to officials, Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Parvesh Verma fixed the completion timeline during a recent high-level review meeting.The 3.5-kilometre elevated corridor, launched in April 2015, will connect Mayur Vihar-I in east Delhi with AIIMS in south Delhi, integrating with the existing Barapullah flyover near Sarai Kale Khan. Once operat..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

Delhi Plan Warns Expressways Disrupt City’s Natural Water Flow

Elevated corridors such as the Western Peripheral Expressway are among the key factors disrupting Delhi’s natural water flow and drainage systems, according to the newly unveiled Drainage Master Plan 2025. The report recommends that water-sensitive studies be made mandatory before executing major infrastructure projects to prevent obstruction of natural drainage patterns.The Drainage Master Plan 2025, designed as a 30-year solution to the Capital’s chronic waterlogging and flooding problems, divides Delhi into three drainage basins — Najafgarh, Barapullah, and Trans-Yamuna. Prepared by c..

Next Story
Infrastructure Urban

AURIC Smart City Marks Sixth Anniversary With New Milestones

Maharashtra Industrial Township Limited (MITL) celebrated the sixth anniversary of the AURIC Industrial Smart City at AURIC Hall, Shendra Industrial Area, on Saturday, marking six years of progress and one year since Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the Bidkin Industrial Area (BIA) to the nation on 29 September 2024. The event showcased AURIC’s achievements, new initiatives, and its roadmap for future expansion.During the celebration, MITL unveiled a series of digital and service ecosystem upgrades, including the launch of the MITL logo and website, a Utility Billing Dashboard, and a R..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Talk to us?