India can significantly reduce its dependence on imports and strengthen long-term energy security by accelerating coal gasification projects, Union coal and mines minister G Kishan Reddy said on Thursday, as the government stepped up efforts to attract investment into the sector.Speaking at a roadshow on the Centre’s scheme for promoting surface coal and lignite gasification projects, Reddy said coal gasification offers an opportunity to convert the country’s vast coal reserves into high-value products such as syngas, methanol, hydrogen, ethanol, urea and sustainable aviation fuel.Many of these products are currently imported in large quantities, and domestic production through coal gasification could help save foreign exchange, reduce import dependence and create new industrial value chains across fertilisers, steel, chemicals, transport and clean energy sectors, he said.The minister said India has the world’s fifth-largest coal reserves, exceeding 400 billion tonnes, and possesses the resources needed to transform its industrial landscape through advanced coal utilisation technologies.India is the world’s second-largest producer and consumer of coal, while Coal India Ltd is the largest coal-producing company globally, Reddy said. He added that the Gevra mine in Chhattisgarh ranks among the world’s largest coal mines.Coal continues to play a dominant role in the country’s energy system, meeting around 70% of electricity demand and accounting for nearly 55% of India’s energy mix.At the same time, the government remains committed to achieving its net-zero emissions target by 2070 through cleaner and more efficient use of domestic coal resources, Reddy said.Referring to the National Coal Gasification Mission, he said the government has set a target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 and expressed confidence that the incentive scheme would catalyse large-scale investments and faster technology adoption.The minister said the draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for the scheme has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultations, with feedback being sought to further strengthen the implementation framework.Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis, who also attended the event, said India is entering a new era of coal gasification powered by modern technologies.Stressing that energy security is central to the country’s economic growth and resilience, Fadnavis said excessive dependence on imports leaves India vulnerable to geopolitical developments and supply-chain disruptions.“Atmanirbhar Bharat is the pathway to Viksit Bharat,” he said, while inviting investors and industry leaders to invest in Maharashtra’s emerging energy and industrial ecosystem.The roadshow was attended by minister of state for coal and mines Satish Chandra Dubey, coal secretary Vikram Dev Dutt, senior ministry officials, representatives of coal-sector PSUs, industry leaders, technology providers, investors and other stakeholders
