Govt to introduce underground coal gasification provisions in auction framework

NEW DELHI: The government will for the first time bring in underground coal gasification specific provisions within the auction framework in the upcoming 14th round of sale of mines as it targets to gasify 100 million tonne of coal by 2030 to reduce the dependence on fossil fuel. Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) will harness the country's deep-seated coal reserves' resources that are otherwise unmineable through conventional methods.

The 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions will be launched on Wednesday. This innovative step is expected to reduce dependence on imported natural gas and crude oil while unlocking new avenues for investment, technological advancement, and employment generation across related sectors.