The government has approved a massive coal gasification plan to reduce India’s dependence on imported gas and promote energy self-reliance. The project will convert coal into synthetic gas that can be used to generate power, fertilizers, alternatives to liquefied petroleum gas and petrochemicals. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs 37,500 crore, while the total investment could reach Rs 3,000,000 crore. It is expected that about 25 projects will be implemented, creating approximately 50,000 job opportunities. The government says India has hundreds of years’ worth of coal reserves, and the move will help reduce imports of liquefied natural gas, ammonia, methanol and fertilisers. The project is also expected to generate annual revenue of around Rs 6,300 crore. The decision comes at a time when global geopolitical tensions are raising concerns about energy security and imports.
