Strong Industry Participation Marks Pre-Application Conference for ₹37,500 Crore Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Scheme

The Ministry of Coal held a Pre‑Application Conference for the ₹37,500 crore Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Scheme, chaired by Additional Secretary Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha. The scheme, approved by the Union Cabinet on 13 May 2026, seeks to develop gasification projects that produce synthetic natural gas, ammonia, methanol, DRI, synthetic fuels and chemicals. The Ministry clarified eligibility, evaluation, incentives and application procedures, and noted that the last date for proposals is 7 September 2026. The initiative is projected to attract ₹2.5–3 lakh crore of investment, utilise about 75 million tonnes of coal annually, create roughly 50,000 jobs and cut imports of energy and chemical products.