New Delhi, June 19 (IANS). According to a senior official, coal gasification projects worth over Rs 65,000 crore are currently underway in India, indicating that the government’s initiative to convert coal into chemicals, fuels and industrial raw materials is no longer limited to just a policy plan, but is also being increasingly implemented at the ground level.
Speaking at a recent event, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt said the sector has received an encouraging response from the industry.
According to him, eight projects are already in the implementation phase under the Rs 8,500 crore incentive scheme approved in January 2024.
These projects have received incentive support of Rs 6,233 crore. These projects relate to sectors such as coal to synthetic natural gas (SNG), ethanol, hydrogen, acetic acid, ammonium nitrate, DRI based steel and sustainable aviation fuel.
The government is also finalizing the invitation for tender (RFP) under the mega stimulus plan of Rs 37,500 crore. The draft document has already been made public to seek suggestions from stakeholders.
Addressing the program, Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy said that Maharashtra is emerging as an important center in the field of coal gasification. Work on five projects is already underway in the state.
He said that Maharashtra is getting the benefit of availability of coal, strong industrial infrastructure and policy support through Western Coalfields Limited. This is the reason why this state has the potential to become a major center for coal gasification projects.
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said that the state is fully committed to creating an investment-friendly environment for this sector. He also mentioned that Mumbai has a historical connection with coal gasification technology.
The government expects to attract investments ranging from Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Rs 3 lakh crore in about 25 projects under the coal gasification initiative.
The government has set a target of gasification of 100 million tonnes of coal by the year 2030.
The program is part of India’s broader strategy aimed at reducing import dependence on fertilizers, chemicals and fuels, strengthening domestic industrial capacity and promoting energy security.
–IANS
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