Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Coal Gasification Gets Industry Push to Cut India's Import Dependence
Coal gasification is a way to turn coal into a gas that can be used like fuel or to make chemicals.
India has a lot of coal, but it still buys many fuels and chemicals from other countries.
A group called the Coal Gasifiers Association of India held a big meeting in Bhubaneswar about this technology.
More than 25 experts talked about how to use India's high-ash coal, which is harder to process.
Big companies like Coal India, GAIL, NTPC and Jindal Steel joined the meeting.
People from Canada and Sri Lanka also came to learn and share ideas.
The visitors went to Jindal Steel's factory in Angul to see coal gasification used in steelmaking.
Leaders said the technology could help India make more things at home and buy fewer things from abroad.
This supports the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' plan, which means a self-reliant India.
The government is also helping by giving money through its Viability Gap Funding scheme.
The Coal Gasifiers Association of India (CGAI) held an international conference in Bhubaneswar on the challenges, opportunities and new technologies in coal gasification.
More than 25 experts presented technical papers, focusing on processing India's high-ash coal and building domestic manufacturing capabilities for import-dependent products.
Senior executives from Coal India, Mahanadi Coalfields, South Eastern Coalfields, GAIL, NTPC and Jindal Steel participated, alongside international experts from Canada and a delegation from Sri Lanka.
Industry leaders called for faster deployment of coal gasification technology and stronger policy support, including under the Centre's Viability Gap Funding (VGF) scheme, to reduce import dependence.
Delegates visited Jindal Steel's Angul complex, home to a coal-gasification-based direct reduced iron (CGP-DRI) plant used in steelmaking.
- Who
- The Coal Gasifiers Association of India (CGAI), industry leaders, executives from Coal India, Mahanadi Coalfields, South Eastern Coalfields, GAIL, NTPC and Jindal Steel, plus international experts from Canada and a delegation from Sri Lanka.
- What
- An international conference on the challenges, opportunities and new technologies in coal gasification, where industry leaders called for faster deployment of the technology to reduce import dependence.
- When
- Recently; the article does not specify an exact date.
- Where
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India, with a field visit to Jindal Steel's Angul complex.
- Why
- To reduce India's dependence on imported fuels, chemicals and feedstock, build domestic manufacturing capabilities and advance the government's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) agenda.
- Event
- International conference on 'Challenges, Opportunities and New Technologies in Coal Gasification'
- Organizer
- Coal Gasifiers Association of India (CGAI)
- Location
- Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
- Technical papers presented
- More than 25
- Participating companies
- Coal India, Mahanadi Coalfields, South Eastern Coalfields, GAIL, NTPC, Jindal Steel
- International attendees
- Experts from Canada and a delegation from Sri Lanka
- Field visit
- Jindal Steel's Angul complex, including its coal-gasification-based direct reduced iron (CGP-DRI) plant
- Chief guest
- Asit Tripathy, former chief secretary of Odisha