Two coal and five lignite blocks have been identified for underground coal gasification (UCG) projects, the coal ministry said Monday.
Minister of State for Coal Pratik Prakashbapu Patil informed parliament in a written reply that the blocks have been identified by the Ranchi-headquartered Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) under the ministry.
The two coal blocks with estimated reserves of 243.5 million tonnes are in Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh, while the five lignite mines having estimated reserves of 707 million tonnes are in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
"In addition to this, Coal India Ltd. (CIL) has also identified two coal blocks for taking up UCG in their command area," the statement said.
UCG is a method of converting coal underground into a combustible gas that can be used for power generation, among other uses.
"The Underground Coal Gasification technology has not been established in India," the ministry said.
It had issued a notification in July 2007 for expediting UCG development in the country.
Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal earlier sought South African cooperation for UCG technologies.
You’ve reached your limit of {{free_limit}} free articles this month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
Already subscribed? Log in
Subscribe to read the full story →
Smart Quarterly
₹900
3 Months
₹300/Month
Smart Essential
₹2,700
1 Year
₹225/Month
Super Saver
₹3,900
2 Years
₹162/Month
Renews automatically, cancel anytime
Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans
Exclusive premium stories online
Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors
Complimentary Access to The New York Times
News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic
Business Standard Epaper
Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share
Curated Newsletters
Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox
Market Analysis & Investment Insights
In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor
Archives
Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997
Ad-free Reading
Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements
Seamless Access Across All Devices
Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app