Ministry of Coal Organizes Third Roadshow on Coal Gasification Scheme in Mumbai
The Ministry of Coal successfully organized the third roadshow on the Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects in Mumbai on June 18, 2026, as part of its commitment to accelerating coal gasification and fostering industry participation in India's clean energy transition. The event witnessed participation from leading industry stakeholders, state representatives, technology providers, investors, coal companies, and sector experts.
Key Government Representatives and Their Addresses
Union Minister of Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy, serving as Chief Guest, highlighted Maharashtra's emergence as a frontrunner in coal gasification with five projects already under development. He noted that Western Coalfields Limited produces about 70 million tonnes of coal annually, providing the resources needed for Maharashtra to become a major coal gasification hub. India possesses the world's fifth-largest coal reserves of over 400 billion tonnes, and is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of coal. Coal continues to meet over 70% of India's electricity demand and contributes nearly 55% of the country's energy mix.
Shri Reddy emphasized that coal gasification is central to achieving long-term energy security, import substitution, and industrial self-reliance. The technology enables production of syngas, methanol, ammonia, ammonium nitrate, hydrogen, ethanol, urea, sustainable aviation fuel, DRI-grade reducing gas, and other value-added chemicals currently imported in significant quantities. The government has set an ambitious target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030 under the National Coal Gasification Mission.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Shri Devendra Fadnavis, as Special Guest, noted Mumbai's historical association with coal gasification dating back to 1862. He emphasized that energy security is fundamental to India's growth and resilience, and excessive import dependence makes the country vulnerable to global geopolitical developments. While India is expanding renewable energy, conventional energy sources will continue to play a critical role in meeting growing energy demand.
Financial Framework and Current Progress
Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, described the Cabinet-approved scheme as one of the Government of India's most significant industrial initiatives. The ₹8,500 crore incentive scheme approved in January 2024 has already attracted eight projects involving investments of over ₹65,000 crore with incentive support of ₹6,233 crore. These projects cover diverse sectors including coal-to-SNG, ethanol, hydrogen, acetic acid, ammonium nitrate, DRI-based steel, and sustainable aviation fuel.
The scheme is technology-agnostic, providing developers flexibility to adopt technologies suited to their feedstock and product requirements while encouraging development of indigenous technologies for India's high-ash coal. The draft Request for Proposal (RFP) has been placed in the public domain for stakeholder consultation with an extended timeline to enable wider participation.
Technical and Financial Presentations
The roadshow featured detailed presentations on the Scheme framework, eligibility criteria, bidding process, and draft RFP. Air Products, Greta Energy, and NTPC presented technological advancements, project development strategies, and emerging opportunities in coal gasification. The Government of Maharashtra showcased its policy incentives for cluster-based development, while the State Bank of India shared insights on financing mechanisms for coal gasification projects.
An interactive Q&A session addressed stakeholders' queries on project implementation, technology adoption, financing, regulatory provisions, and the bidding process. The discussions reflected strong industry confidence in coal gasification's potential to drive industrial growth while promoting cleaner utilization of India's coal resources.