TFP Bureau New Delhi, August 22, 2024: A special session of the Standing Scientific Research Committee (SSRC) was held on August 21, 2024, chaired by Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary of the Ministry of Coal. Conducted in a hybrid format, the meeting brought together senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, including Additional Secretaries Ms. Rupinder Brar and Ms. Vismita Tej, as well as JS&FA Ms. Nirupama Kotru and Advisor Shri Anandji Prasad. The gathering also included SSRC members, academic representatives, research organizations, and key industry players.
The focus of the meeting was on advancing research and development (R&D) in the coal sector, addressing key areas such as exploration techniques, coal production enhancement, safety improvements, and environmental protection. The SSRC comprises representatives from various ministries and departments, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), NITI Aayog, and the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), along with major industry stakeholders such as Coal India Limited (CIL), NLC India Limited (NLCIL), Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL), and the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI). Prestigious academic institutions like IIT Dhanbad, IIT BHU Varanasi, and IIT Kanpur, as well as research bodies like the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR) and the Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), were also involved.
CMPDI presented a detailed overview of the current R&D initiatives, including the establishment of Phase-1 of the National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER) at Ranchi. The presentation covered ongoing and completed high-impact projects under the R&D/S&T scheme and outlined future directions.
Key recommendations from the meeting included:
Frequent Reviews: Regular evaluations of major R&D projects to ensure they meet sectoral goals.
Incentives: Providing rewards for mines and researchers showing significant impacts.
Annual Seminar: Hosting a national seminar each year to showcase R&D achievements.
Advisory Committee: Creating a committee with representatives from IITs, NITs, and mining institutes to engage students and researchers in coal sector R&D.
Awareness Programs: CMPDI to increase awareness about coal and energy R&D through visits to mining institutes and research organizations.
Energy Transition: Focusing research on energy transition and achieving net-zero emissions.
Digital Promotion: Using digital platforms to highlight successful R&D projects.
Unified Platform: Developing a centralized platform for all coal and lignite R&D activities to prevent research duplication.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to advancing coal sector R&D, emphasizing innovation, sustainability, and addressing emerging energy challenges.
