On September 26, 2025, the Ministry of Coal, in collaboration with FICCI, successfully organized the 2nd Roadshow on Coal Gasification – Surface and Underground Technologies in New Delhi, following a first edition in Mumbai. The event focused on promoting India’s cleaner and more sustainable coal utilization technologies.
Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, highlighted coal's pivotal role in India’s energy landscape, noting that with coal production surpassing 1 billion tonnes, coal remains essential for powering the energy sector and supporting industry growth. Ms. Brar emphasized the necessity of adopting advanced coal gasification technologies to reduce environmental impact, curb coal imports, and bolster energy security.
Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, underscored coal's role in energy security and industrial growth. He highlighted government initiatives promoting Coal Gasification and Underground Coal Gasification, stressing private sector participation for rapid technology adoption. He emphasized coal gasification’s potential to reduce coal imports and enhance sustainable economic growth.
Shri Jha also stated that Coal Gasification is a key focus for the Government of India, aiming to harness coal reserves efficiently and sustainably. The Coal Gasification Mission (2020) targets 100 million tonnes by 2030, and a new sub-sector for Syngas Production was created in 2022. Shri Subhrakant Panda, Past President of FICCI, noted the strategic importance of coal gasification in reducing import dependency and its role in achieving Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Presentations were delivered by Shri Shubham Goel, Vice President, SBI Capital Markets Limited on Surface Coal Gasification, and by Shri Ajitesh Kumar, Director, Ministry of Coal, and Shri Birendra Kumar Thakur, Director (Technical), Ministry of Coal, on Underground Coal Gasification. The event included an interactive Q&A session with Ministry officials and technical experts. The event reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to transparency, stakeholder engagement, and collaborative growth in coal gasification, showcasing investment opportunities, technological advancements, and Government initiatives to strengthen energy security and build an Atmanirbhar Bharat through cleaner coal utilization. This release ID is 2171908.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Coal: The primary government body responsible for the development and regulation of the coal sector in India.
Coal Gasification Mission (2020): A Government of India initiative to promote coal gasification and achieve a target of 100 million tonnes by 2030.
FICCI: An organization that collaborated with the Ministry of Coal to organize the roadshow on Coal Gasification.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat: A vision to promote self-reliance in India, particularly in energy security and industrial growth, through initiatives like coal gasification.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Ministry Holds Roadshow on Coal Gasification
in Collaboration with FICCI
Posted On: 26 SEP 2025 7:56PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Coal today successfully organized the 2nd Roadshow on Coal Gasification – Surface and
Underground Technologies in collaboration with FICCI in New Delhi. Building upon the success of the first
edition held in Mumbai, the event focused on promoting India’s cleaner and more sustainable coal utilization
technologies. Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal and Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha,
Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, along with senior officials of the ministry, key stakeholders attended
the Roadshow to discuss key initiatives, technologies, and the role of coal gasification in enhancing energy
security, reducing imports, fostering innovation, and supporting a sustainable and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Ms. Rupinder Brar, Additional Secretary and Nominated Authority, Ministry of Coal, in her keynote
address highlighted the critical role of coal in India’s energy landscape. With coal production
surpassing 1 billion tonnes, she stated that coal remains of paramount importance and serves as
the cornerstone of India’s energy mix, powering the power sector and supporting the growth of
industries across the country.
She emphasised that the adoption of advanced and cleaner coal gasification technologies, both
surface and underground, is essential not only to reduce environmental impact but also to curb coal
imports and strengthen India’s energy security. She stated that these technologies have the
potential to create new industries and value chains, stimulate investment, and contribute
significantly to economic growth. Highlighting India’s broader developmental trajectory, she stated
that such initiatives will accelerate the nation’s journey toward becoming the world’s third-largest
economy, while simultaneously ensuring a sustainable and Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Ms. Brar also underlined that coal continues to be central to India’s energy requirements, powering nearly
70% of electricity generation, and that coal gasification will play a pivotal role in meeting growing energy
demands efficiently and responsibly. She called for continued collaboration between government and industry
stakeholders to harness India’s coal resources effectively, driving innovation, sustainability, and long-termeconomic prosperity.
Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, in his address, underscored that India’s coal
sector is the backbone of energy security and plays a pivotal role in supporting industrial growth. He
highlighted government initiatives promoting Coal Gasification and Underground Coal Gasification, stressing
that private sector participation is crucial for the rapid adoption of these technologies. Shri Jha emphasized
that coal gasification has the potential to significantly reduce coal imports, substitute domestic coal demand,
and contribute to sustainable, Aatmanirbhar economic growth.
He further stated that Coal Gasification is a key focus area for the Government of India, aimed at
harnessing the country’s vast coal reserves efficiently and sustainably. The Coal Gasification
Mission (2020) targets 100 million tonnes by 2030, and in 2022, a new sub-sector for Syngas
Production was created. The Ministry of Coal continues to advance these initiatives to ensure
energy security, promote investment, and strengthen India’s position as a global leader in
sustainable energy.
In his address, Shri Subhrakant Panda, Past President of FICCI and Managing Director of Indian Metals &
Ferro Alloys Ltd, highlighted the strategic importance of coal gasification in reducing import dependency on
natural gas, methanol, and ammonia, a key step toward achieving the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He
noted that coal gasification also opens up new industrial frontiers by enabling the production of fertilizers and
clean fuels, thereby contributing to sustainable growth and enhanced energy security.
During the roadshow, detailed presentations were delivered to provide participants with a comprehensive
understanding of coal gasification technologies and the associated bidding processes. Shri Shubham Goel,
Vice President, SBI Capital Markets Limited elaborated on Surface Coal Gasification and the commercial bid
process, while Shri Ajitesh Kumar, Director, Ministry of Coal and Shri Birendra Kumar Thakur, Director
(Technical), Ministry of Coal presented an in-depth overview of Underground Coal Gasification, highlighting
key technical aspects, operational procedures and opportunities for stakeholders. The event also featured an
interactive Q&A session where participants engaged directly with Ministry officials and technical experts on
investment strategies, regulatory compliance, project financing and environmental safeguards.
This edition of Roadshow reaffirmed the Ministry of Coal’s commitment to transparency, stakeholder
engagement and collaborative growth in the coal gasification sector. By showcasing investment
opportunities, technological advancements and Government initiatives, the event underlined India’s
vision of strengthening energy security, fostering industrial growth and building an Atmanirbhar
Bharat through cleaner and more sustainable coal utilization.
****Shuhaib T/Durgesh Kumar
(Release ID: 2171908)