Raipur (thestates.news) | In a landmark step towards strengthening India’s energy security and accelerating domestic coal production, the Ministry of Coal successfully launched the 13th Round of Commercial Coal Mine Auctions in New Delhi today. The event was graced by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, as the Chief Guest, and Minister of State, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey, as the Guest of Honour.
In his keynote address, Shri G. Kishan Reddy celebrated India’s historic achievement of surpassing One Billion Tonnes (BT) coal production in FY 2025 a testament to the transformative reforms initiated under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. He emphasized that since 2015, the coal sector has undergone a paradigm shift through transparent auction regimes, increased private sector participation, and technological modernization.
The Minister highlighted that the coal sector is emerging as a key champion of Atmanirbhar Bharat, with a transparent and inclusive auction system attracting new companies and junior mining firms, providing them fresh opportunities to enter the industry. With 134 mines auctioned across 12 rounds, attracting investments worth ₹41,600 crore and generating over 3.5 lakh jobs, we are reshaping India’s energy landscape. The 13th Round introduces 14 coal blocks, further reducing reliance on imports and conserving foreign exchange. The transparent auction process has fostered healthy competition, compelling public sector undertakings (PSUs) to innovate and compete with private players, thereby enhancing operational efficiency and global competitiveness.
The Minister further stressed the need for diversification from conventional coal mining to cleaner use of coal through coal gasification. He emphasized that more than 40% of India’s coal resources, approximately 370 billion tonnes, are deep-seated and currently unmineable through conventional methods. Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) represents a transformative approach, allowing these vast, untapped coal reserves to be converted directly into syngas underground. By harnessing coal in situ, this technology not only unlocks immense energy potential but also minimizes surface disturbance, reduces land use, and promotes cleaner, more sustainable coal utilization, marking a significant step forward in India’s energy roadmap. He also highlighted the importance of coal production and urged the successful bidders to commence production ahead of schedule to avail incentives, while reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to progressive reforms, removal of bottlenecks, expediting clearances, and improving ease of doing business. Stressing that coal demand will continue to rise, he said India must plan ahead to enhance production from its vast reserves as the world’s second-largest producer and consumer.
Highlighting the Prime Minister’s vision of Reform, Perform, Transform, Shri Reddy underlined that the Ministry is driving reforms to ensure efficiency, transparency, and long-term sustainability. He also called upon stakeholders to offer constructive suggestions to further strengthen reforms and accelerate the sector’s growth.
Shri Reddy also talked about the holistic approach in coal mining involving the community development and welfare of the local public. He emphasized, investing in coal today is investing in India’s future. Every opportunity in the sector not only strengthens our energy security but also promises long-term growth, sustainable development, and a chance to be part of the nation’s journey towards a self-reliant and prosperous energy landscape. (S-PIB)
