Ministry of Coal holds Successful Roadshow on Coal and Lignite Gasification Projects
Published: Jun 12, 2026
By TIOLCorplaws News Service
NEW DELHI, JUN 12, 2026: THE Ministry of Coal yesterday successfully concluded a major Roadshow on Coal and Lignite Gasification Projects in Hyderabad, bringing together industry leaders, technology providers, investors, financial institutions, coal and lignite companies, industry associations, and representatives from Central and State Governments. The event served as an important platform to showcase the Government of India's vision for accelerating coal gasification and promoting cleaner, value-added utilization of the country's abundant coal resources. The Roadshow witnessed extensive deliberations on investment opportunities, policy support mechanisms, technological advancements, implementation strategies, and avenues for fostering a robust coal gasification ecosystem in the country.
The event was graced by G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, as the Chief Guest and Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, as the Guest of Honour. Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, and senior officials of the Ministry were also present on the occasion.
In his keynote address at the Roadshow on Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects in Hyderabad, G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, highlighted India's strong resource base and growing energy needs, noting that the country possesses nearly 400 billion tonnes of coal reserves the fifth largest in the world with sufficient availability for several decades. He stated that India is yesterday the world's second-largest producer and consumer of coal, with nearly 70% of its electricity generation dependent on coal and millions of livelihoods linked to the sector. Emphasizing the need for smarter utilization of this abundant resource, he described coal gasification as a transformational opportunity for India's energy and industrial future.
Reddy noted that despite its vast coal reserves, India continues to remain heavily dependent on imports of methanol, ammonia, fertilizer feedstocks and several critical industrial chemicals, resulting in a substantial outflow of foreign exchange every year. He stated that coal gasification offers a strategic pathway to convert domestic coal into value-added products, strengthen energy security, reduce import dependence and enhance economic resilience. To ensure a transparent and consultative implementation process, he informed stakeholders that the Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) has already been placed in the public domain for comments and suggestions, and invited industry stakeholders to contribute their valuable inputs for further strengthening the framework.
The Minister highlighted that the Union Cabinet's approval of the total Rs 46,000 crore combined Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects marks a transformational step in India's energy and industrial journey and will provide fresh momentum to large-scale gasification projects across the country. He stated that the Government is committed to driving reforms in the sector, with ease of doing business as a key priority, and creating a supportive ecosystem for investors and technology providers. Further, he reiterated the Government's unwavering commitment to transparency and accountability, stating that a consultative, industry-friendly and investor-oriented approach would remain central to the successful implementation of the coal gasification programme. Expressing confidence in India's emergence as one of the world's most promising destinations for coal gasification investments, he remarked that the country is ready to enter the coal gasification era. “We have coal in abundance, we have policy support, and we have commitment. Coal gasification will become a new driver of industrial growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat,” he said.
Addressing the Roadshow, Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, underscored the strategic importance of coal gasification in realizing the vision of a self-reliant and developed India. He stated that a nation capable of producing its own fuels, fertilizers, chemicals, and other critical industrial inputs from domestic resources is better equipped to ensure long-term energy security, reduce dependence on imports, and strengthen its economic resilience.
Dubey highlighted that the Rs 37,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal and Lignite Gasification Projects reflects the Government's strong commitment to harnessing India's abundant coal resources in a more efficient, sustainable, and value-added manner. He noted that the initiative is a significant step towards advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Expressing confidence in the transformative potential of the sector, Dubey said that coal gasification will attract substantial investments, encourage the adoption of advanced technologies, generate large-scale employment opportunities, and catalyse industrial growth across the country. He emphasized that by converting coal into high-value products, gasification can unlock new avenues for economic development while enhancing India's industrial capabilities.
He further remarked that coal gasification has the potential to transform India's vast coal reserves into a powerful engine of growth, innovation, and self-reliance, making a significant contribution towards the goal of building a strong, resilient, and Viksit Bharat by 2047.
In his opening remarks, Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, stated that the Government has approved the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects, a programme of considerable scale and strategic importance. He noted that coal gasification offers a pathway to produce from India's own resources the fuels, fertilizers, chemicals and industrial inputs that are currently imported in substantial quantities at significant cost. Emphasizing that India's vast coal endowment is a strategic asset, he highlighted the role of coal gasification in strengthening energy security and advancing Atmanirbharta.
Dutt informed stakeholders that, as committed during the New Delhi Roadshow, the Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) has been placed in the public domain for industry feedback. He stated that the purpose of the Roadshow was to explain the Scheme and the RFP clearly while hearing the questions, concerns and suggestions of stakeholders. Inviting active participation from industry, technology providers and financial institutions, he encouraged them to contribute towards shaping the final framework.
Highlighting the growing importance of self-reliance in an evolving geopolitical landscape, Dutt noted that recent developments in West Asia have reinforced the need to build resilient domestic supply chains and reduce dependence on imports. He emphasized that the Union Cabinet has approved the Scheme and that Central support, State incentives, assured coal linkage and downstream infrastructure together create a compelling investment ecosystem. Calling upon industry to partner in this national mission, he stated, “The opportunity is unprecedented. The need is urgent. The support is generous. The RFP is in your hands.
A detailed presentation on the Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) under the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects was also made during the Roadshow. The presentation covered key aspects of the scheme, including eligibility criteria, bidding methodology, incentive structure, coal linkage provisions, project milestones, evaluation parameters, and participation timelines. Stakeholders were encouraged to provide their feedback and suggestions on the Draft RFP, which has been placed in the public domain as part of a transparent and consultative process. Further, BHEL and CIMFR showcased indigenous coal gasification technologies, underscoring India's commitment to technological self-reliance. Maharashtra highlighted its policy incentives for cluster-based development, while Chhattisgarh and Telangana presented attractive investment opportunities to foster greater industry participation and accelerate the growth of the coal gasification ecosystem.
The Roadshow also featured an interactive session and Q&A, during which stakeholders sought clarifications on project financing, technology partnerships, coal availability, regulatory approvals, environmental clearances, infrastructure requirements, and downstream opportunities. Detailed responses were provided by senior officers of Ministry on various provisions of the scheme, and the discussions reflected strong interest from industry, investors, technology providers, and financial institutions in the emerging coal gasification sector.
The Roadshow concluded with a strong reaffirmation of the Government's commitment to promoting coal gasification as a strategic pillar of India's energy and industrial future. With sustained policy support, industry participation, technology partnerships, and stakeholder collaboration, the initiative is poised to unlock new opportunities for investment, employment generation, import substitution, and value-added utilization of domestic coal resources. By strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing dependence on critical imports, coal gasification is expected to play an important role in enhancing India's energy security, fostering industrial development, and advancing the vision of a self-reliant India and a resilient industrial future.
