New Delhi: The Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) hosted the 17th edition of the India Coal Summit at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi. The summit, themed ‘Future of India’s Coal Market: Balancing Production Growth, Clean Technology Adoption, and Logistics Challenges’, provided a vital platform for policymakers, industry leaders, and experts to discuss the evolving role of coal in India’s energy mix and its path towards sustainable development.
The day-long event featured insightful sessions and discussions on India’s growing coal demand, the widening gap between domestic production and imports, and the need to embrace clean and efficient technologies. Distinguished speakers included Mr Rajnath Ram, Advisor (Energy), NITI Aayog, Government of India; Mr Pankaj Satija, Chairman-ICC National Expert Committee on Minerals & Metals; Mr Gautam Senapati, AVP Washery Head, JSW Steel Ltd; Mr Karansinh Bhavsinh Chauhan, Superintending Engineer (Fuel), GSECL and Mr Vivek Bhatia, Managing Director & CEO, TKIL industries private limited .
Addressing the summit, Mr Rajnath Ram, Advsior (Energy) NITI Aayog, Government of India stated, “India is committed to achieving its Net Zero target by 2070 while striving to become a developed nation by 2047. Our energy demand is expected to grow significantly, requiring a balanced approach that ensures energy security, affordability, and sustainability. Coal will remain an important component of our energy mix, and we are actively promoting cleaner technologies like coal gasification and carbon capture to use this resource responsibly. Through international collaborations and government incentives, we are working towards a sustainable and secure energy future for India.”
Mr Pankaj Satija, Chairman- Indian Chamber of Commerce National Expert, Committee on Minerals & Metals emphasized, “Coal has long been the backbone of industrial growth and energy security, yet its value is often overlooked until disruptions arise. As we navigate rising demand and global challenges, enhancing productivity, ensuring safety, and supporting workers’ transitions are critical. Through collaboration and innovation, we aim to make coal’s contribution sustainable and resilient for the future.”
The summit also addressed critical logistics challenges including railway capacity constraints and port congestion, exploring integrated solutions such as dedicated freight corridors and rail-sea-rail strategies to ensure efficient coal movement.
Mr Deepak Gupta, Former Deputy Director General, Directorate General of Mine Safety highlighted, “Coking coal presents unique challenges that require targeted solutions beyond those for thermal coal. With over 70% of imports coming from geopolitically sensitive regions, logistics efficiency and port capacity are critical. Improving infrastructure, modernizing stockyards, and enhancing blending processes will be key to ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and supply security.”
Mr Karansinh Bhavsinh, Chauhan Superintending Engineer(Fuel) GSECL shared, “Our focus is on integrating diverse energy sources like gas, solar, and wind into the power mix while advancing clean coal technologies. By adopting methods such as boiler modifications and integrated gasification cycles, we aim to achieve higher efficiency with lower emissions. Clean coal solutions are central to balancing environmental responsibility with energy demands.”
Mr Vivek Bhatia, Managing Director & CEO, TKIL industries private limited said- “Coal will remain an essential part of India’s energy future, and our focus must be on using it more efficiently and sustainably. By embracing mechanization, electrification, and advanced technologies like gasification and carbon capture, we can reduce emissions, enhance safety, and improve productivity—ensuring coal supports both the economy and the environment.”
The event concluded on a forward-looking note, emphasizing the need to accelerate coal production while adopting sustainable practices through innovation, advanced technologies, and improved logistics. By bringing together a diverse group of stakeholders, the summit reaffirmed the importance of dialogue, cooperation, and actionable strategies to shape the future of India’s coal and energy sectors.