JHARSUGUDA, Odisha, June 20 — Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy on Saturday said Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL) are jointly investing ₹25,000 crore in a coal gasification project in Odisha, marking a significant step toward expanding the use of coal beyond conventional power generation.
Speaking to reporters in Jharsuguda during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, Reddy said the initiative would create new opportunities in fertilizer production while generating employment in the region.
“Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu have ushered in a new chapter for Odisha’s coal sector. Moving beyond the traditional use of coal, new avenues will now open up through coal gasification,” Reddy said.
Highlighting the scale of the investment, the minister added, “Today, BHEL and Coal India Limited are jointly investing ₹25,000 crore in this initiative.”
He said the project is expected to boost downstream industrial activity in the state and create employment opportunities for local communities.
“This will facilitate fertilizer production and create employment opportunities for local people, proving highly beneficial for Odisha,” Reddy said.
The minister also underscored the Central government’s broader push toward coal gasification as part of efforts to diversify coal utilization and reduce import dependence in sectors such as fertilizers and chemicals.
“The Central Government is providing ₹46,000 crore for coal gasification,” he said.
Coal gasification converts coal into synthesis gas, or syngas, which can be used to manufacture chemicals, fertilizers, synthetic fuels, and other industrial products. The technology is viewed as a means of enhancing the value of India’s vast coal reserves while supporting industrial growth.
The Central government has been promoting coal gasification projects to encourage cleaner and more efficient utilization of domestic coal resources and reduce reliance on imported feedstocks for key industries. (ANI)
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