SECL: Coal Gasification, Infrastructure and Energy Projects Take Centre Stage in High-Level Meeting – Indian PSU
In a significant move aimed at accelerating energy and industrial development in Chhattisgarh, a high-level meeting was held in Raipur on Friday, between Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, Government of India, and Subodh Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh.
The discussions focused on coal gasification opportunities, mining infrastructure, strategic energy projects and measures required to facilitate large-scale investments in the State.
The meeting was attended by Harish Duhan, Chairman-cum-Managing Director of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), N. Franklin Jayakumar, Director (Technical/Operations), SECL, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Coal, Government of Chhattisgarh and SECL.
A key agenda item was the development of coal gasification projects in Chhattisgarh and the support needed from the State Government to enable such investments. The deliberations come at a time when the Government of India is actively promoting coal gasification through policy initiatives and financial incentive schemes aimed at increasing value addition to domestic coal resources.
Participants highlighted the role of coal gasification in advancing the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by strengthening energy security, reducing dependence on imports and fostering the growth of coal-to-chemical and other downstream industries. With its abundant coal reserves and strong industrial ecosystem, Chhattisgarh is considered well-positioned to emerge as a major hub for coal gasification projects.
Earlier in the day, SECL CMD Harish Duhan and Director (Technical/Operations) N. Franklin Jayakumar welcomed Additional Secretary Sanoj Kumar Jha upon his arrival in Raipur.
The meeting also reviewed several strategic issues related to mining and infrastructure development. Discussions covered allotment of land in Raigarh, expediting approvals through a single-window clearance mechanism, physical possession of acquired land, resolution of power and high-tension line constraints, strengthening logistics infrastructure around key projects, development of pit-head thermal power plants, incentives for clean coal technology projects, collaboration in the development of critical mineral blocks in Chhattisgarh and speedy clearances for floating solar power projects in suitable water bodies across the State.
The deliberations reflected the shared commitment of the Government of India, the Government of Chhattisgarh and SECL to facilitate strategic investments and create an enabling ecosystem for energy, mining and industrial growth.
The meeting is expected to further strengthen Centre-State coordination and accelerate the implementation of projects of both national and regional significance, particularly in the areas of energy security, clean coal technologies and sustainable industrial development.
