TFP Bureau, Mumbai, September 12, 2025 // The Ministry of Coal today hosted a high-level Roadshow on Coal Gasification – Surface and Underground Technologies in Mumbai, drawing policymakers, industry leaders, investors, technology providers, and research institutions to chart India’s next phase of energy transition. The event highlighted how coal gasification, particularly underground techniques, can transform India’s abundant coal reserves into cleaner fuels, chemical feedstock, and value-added products while reducing import dependence and strengthening energy self-reliance.
Coal at the Heart of India’s Growth Story
Delivering the keynote address, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, Ms. Rupinder Brar, hailed India’s achievement of crossing one billion tonnes of coal production in a single year as a “historic milestone” that underscores coal’s central role in fueling the nation’s growth. She underlined that coal continues to be the backbone of India’s energy mix, supporting industrial expansion, electricity generation, and national development.
While affirming coal’s indispensability, Ms. Brar emphasized that gasification represents the next frontier: “Coal gasification offers us an environmentally friendlier way to harness our reserves. It enables the production of methanol, dimethyl ether, synthetic natural gas, hydrogen, fertilizers, and chemicals that are essential for self-reliance, while minimizing ecological impacts. This is how we give back to Mother Earth—by using coal responsibly, efficiently, and sustainably.”
Coal Gasification – Cleaner Pathways for Energy and Industry
A detailed technical presentation at the roadshow explained the fundamentals of coal gasification, wherein coal is converted into syngas—a mixture of hydrogen (H₂), carbon monoxide (CO), methane (CH₄), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). This syngas can be directly used for generating electricity, producing hydrogen for India’s green fuel goals, manufacturing fertilizers like urea and ammonium nitrate, and serving as raw material for advanced chemicals and industrial feedstocks.
The session also focused on Underground Coal Gasification (UCG)—a cutting-edge process to gasify deep, unmineable coal seams in-situ using oxidants such as oxygen, steam, or air. UCG reduces surface disturbance, uses less water compared to conventional coal processes, and offers new opportunities for producing clean fuels and hydrogen at scale. Officials noted that UCG could significantly support India’s hydrogen economy by creating an indigenous, low-cost hydrogen supply chain.
Government’s Action Plan: Ecosystem for Innovation and Investment
Ms. Brar reiterated that the Ministry of Coal is committed to creating a robust ecosystem for both surface and underground coal gasification. The government is actively engaging with multiple stakeholders, including state governments, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), and the Central Ground Water Board (CGWB), to ensure environmental safeguards and operational safety standards.
A dedicated committee has been constituted to review and update mining plan guidelines to incorporate UCG-specific provisions. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to streamline approvals, reduce regulatory bottlenecks, and integrate gasification provisions into upcoming rounds of coal mine auctions.
Ms. Brar urged participants to align every investment and innovation in coal gasification with global best practices in decarbonization, the circular economy, and sustainable development goals. “India must scale indigenous technologies, strengthen research, and forge strong public-private partnerships. The success of coal gasification depends on our ability to innovate, attract significant investments, and build viable business models that endure for decades to come,” she said.
Industry Participation and Stakeholder Engagement
The roadshow facilitated intensive dialogue between government officials and industry representatives. Technology providers presented their solutions for syngas utilization, hydrogen production, carbon capture integration, and waste minimization. Investors explored potential business models, including joint ventures and public-private partnerships, while research institutions stressed the need for pilot projects and R&D funding.
An interactive Q&A session allowed participants to raise queries on regulatory frameworks, financing mechanisms, land and water use, and global case studies of successful gasification projects. Officials assured that India’s policy ecosystem is being designed to balance industrial competitiveness with environmental stewardship.
Paving the Way for Sustainable Energy Future
The Ministry emphasized that coal gasification will become a cornerstone of India’s energy transition strategy, complementing renewable energy growth while reducing reliance on imported fuels such as natural gas, methanol, and petrochemicals. By unlocking new value chains from domestic coal, India can advance towards its twin objectives of energy security and industrial self-reliance.
The Ministry of Coal has identified coal gasification—including UCG—as one of the flagship initiatives under the National Coal Gasification Mission, aiming to achieve 100 MT of coal gasification by 2030. Officials noted that India’s geographical and geological conditions, combined with its large reserves, make it uniquely positioned to scale both surface and underground technologies.
The Road Ahead
The roadshow concluded with a collective call for accelerated collaboration across government, industry, and academia. Key themes included:
- Expanding R&D on high-efficiency, low-emission gasification technologies.
- Developing synergies between gasification and hydrogen economy initiatives.
- Encouraging MSMEs and startups to innovate in gasification-linked value chains.
- Designing financial instruments and risk-mitigation frameworks to attract private capital.
- Ensuring transparent, streamlined regulations for quicker project execution.
By combining cleaner technologies with supportive policies, the Ministry of Coal aims to transform coal from a conventional fuel into a versatile raw material powering India’s future industries.
As Ms. Brar concluded, “Coal will remain central to India’s energy story, but through gasification we are reimagining its role—turning challenges into opportunities and ensuring that economic growth, energy security, and environmental responsibility move forward together.”
