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India has made significant strides towards achieving energy independence as coal production in the country reached a record high of 893.19 million tonnes in the fiscal year 2022-23 (April 2022-March 2023), said an Indian official.
The Union minister of Coal, Mines, and Parliamentary Affairs, Pralhad Joshi, highlighted the government's initiatives aimed at reducing coal imports and meeting the growing domestic demand.
Driven by transparent auctions for commercial mining, expedited coal block development and amendments to mining regulations, India witnessed a substantial increase from the previous fiscal's production of 778.21 million tonnes.
As of November 2023, the country has already produced approximately 591.40 million tonnes of coal in the current fiscal, marking a 13% growth year on year.
The government's focus on self-sufficiency in coal has led to technological advancements in both underground and open-cast mining. Coal India Limited (CIL) has embraced mass production technologies and planned large-capacity underground mines where feasible.
To ensure efficient coal transportation, the government is investing in evacuation infrastructure and mechanized coal loading through first mile connectivity (FMC) projects. With 67 FMC projects of 885 million tonne capacity underway, the goal is to achieve mechanized handling of 1 billion tonnes of coal, enhancing distribution capabilities.
Improving domestic coal production has also resulted in a reduction in coal imports, with 127.82 million tonnes recorded during April-September, down 3.07% compared to the same period last year, showed data from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry of India.
Looking ahead, the government aims to further boost coal output to 1.5 billion tonnes by FY2029-30, aligning with the increasing demand. This will be supported by the development of rail projects and compliance with environmental norms through necessary clearances and regular monitoring.
Additionally, efforts are underway to reduce carbon emissions through pollution control measures, land reclamation, and environmental performance indexing.
(Writing by Riley Liang Editing by Emma Yang)
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