In a written reply in the Lok Sabha on March 15, Union Minister Pralhad Joshi disclosed that domestic coal production is anticipated to increase by 6 to 7 per cent every year over the next few years, ultimately reaching around 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029-30. Joshi stated that coal demand has increased by 13.44 per cent in 2021-22 compared to the previous year. The government has introduced a number of measures to ramp up domestic coal production and become self-reliant.
The Minister remarked that the government has taken a series of steps to ensure smooth transportation of coal to the end-users. To this end, initiatives are being launched to enhance evacuation infrastructure through the development of new rail projects and to mechanize coal loading through First Mile Connectivity projects.
The Indian coal sector has been facing a challenging environment in recent years, grappling with a range of issues, including insufficient production capacity and lack of infrastructure. As a result, India has become heavily dependent on imports to meet its coal needs. This dependence has impacted the country’s energy security and balance of payments.
To address these issues, the government has implemented a series of initiatives to encourage the development of the domestic coal industry. The government’s focus on ramping up domestic coal production is a significant step towards achieving energy security and reducing India’s dependence on imports.
The government is also taking several measures to improve the efficiency of the coal supply chain. For instance, the government has launched the first-mile connectivity project, which aims to facilitate the transportation of coal from mines to railway sidings. The project involves the construction of conveyor belts and mechanized loading facilities, which will help reduce transportation costs and increase efficiency.
In addition to this, the government has also taken steps to boost the capacity of the country’s coal handling infrastructure. The government is working to develop new railway lines and ports to facilitate the transportation of coal from mines to end-users.
Furthermore, the government is also working to promote the use of clean coal technologies to reduce the environmental impact of coal-fired power plants. The government is investing in research and development to develop new technologies that can help reduce emissions from coal-fired power plants.
India has significant coal reserves, and the government’s focus on enhancing domestic production is a positive step towards achieving energy security. With the increase in coal production and the development of infrastructure, India will be able to reduce its dependence on imports and strengthen its energy security.
The Indian government’s efforts to ramp up domestic coal production and improve coal handling infrastructure are expected to have a positive impact on the energy sector. The growth in domestic coal production is a significant step towards achieving energy security and reducing India’s dependence on imports. The government’s focus on developing clean coal technologies will also help reduce the environmental impact of coal-fired power plants.
