Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy today said that for the first time, the coal production in the country has reached nearly one billion tonnes in 2024-25.

 

 

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in the Lok Sabha, Mr Reddy said, over the past ten years, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, several major reforms have been undertaken in the coal sector. He said that the government is ensuring coal production and supply across all sectors.

 

 

The Minister said India is now the world’s second-largest producer and consumer of coal. Mr Reddy informed that India has the fifth-largest coal reserves globally and the country has coal reserves sufficient for nearly seven years.

 

 

The Minister said the government is working on Coal Gasification Mission and the mission is set to achieve 100 million tonnes by 2030. He highlighted that underground coal gasification blocks have also been auctioned for the first time in the country.

 

 

Mr Reddy said the auction of 21 coal mines with the potential to harness underground gasification of the fossil fuel is underway. He informed the House that this initiative will not only promise a cleaner way to use coal but also reduce India’s reliance on imported commodities such as oil, methanol, and ammonia.