Ministry of Coal Organizes Chintan Shivir 2.0: Shaping the Future of the Coal Sector

Newdelhi:7/1/24:The Ministry of Coal successfully hosted Chintan Shivir 2.0 today at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, providing a platform to foster innovation, sustainability, and collaboration in defining the future roadmap for the coal sector. The event was chaired by Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy, and co-chaired by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey. Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary (Coal), Additional Secretaries Ms. Rupinder Brar and Ms. Vismita Tej, along with all CMDs and Directors of coal PSUs, senior officers of Ministry, and key stakeholders, participated actively in the discussions.

In his keynote address at Chintan Shivir 2.0, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G Kishan Reddy, emphasized the vital role of the coal sector in ensuring India’s energy security while addressing the challenges of sustainability and innovation. He reiterated the Government’s unwavering commitment to making the coal sector a key contributor to the Nation’s energy transition, focusing on enhancing production, integrating cleaner technologies, and safeguarding the environment. Shri Reddy highlighted the need to align coal mining practices with global sustainability goals, including reducing carbon emissions through innovative technologies like coal gasification and adopting best practices for sustainability

Shri Reddy stressed the importance of safety in mining operations, calling it a non-negotiable priority for all stakeholders. He urged coal PSUs and industry partners to adopt state-of-the-art technologies and implement rigorous safety standards to safeguard the lives of workers and ensure the well-being of the workforce. He underlined the necessity of developing robust mechanisms for mine closures, focusing on biodiversity conservation, land reclamation, and transforming mined-out areas into hubs of community activity and ecological balance.

Chintan Shivir 2.0 featured two engaging panel discussions, which focused on key aspects shaping the coal sector. The first-panel discussion, moderated by Ms. Vismita Tej, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, addressed the future of coal in India. Participants deliberated on achieving the ambitious target of 2 billion tonnes of coal production, improving coal transportation systems, and adopting cleaner technologies like coal gasification to align with India’s energy transition goals. They discussed strategies to bridge the gap between current coal production and the target of 2 BT, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive SWOT analysis of both captive and commercial coal blocks. Key points included improving coal viability by addressing cost competitiveness with green power and ensuring market-friendly coal solutions.

Chintan Shivir 2.0 concluded by reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to a sustainable, responsible, and inclusive coal-mining framework. The discussions emphasized the adoption of innovative technologies such as coal gasification, strengthening mine safety measures, and turning mined-out areas into biodiversity hubs. The outcomes of the Shivir aim to set a global benchmark for balancing energy demands with environmental and social responsibilities, ensuring the coal sector emerges as a key contributor to Atmanirbhar Bharat.