Green Clearance Waived for Underground Coal Gasification Pilot Projects

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) announced a key development on Wednesday, agreeing to waive green clearance requirements for pilot underground coal gasification projects. This decision is a step toward the government's goal to gasify 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, advancing eco-friendly mining methods.

Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt explained that pilot studies are crucial for the nascent UCG technology before full-scale operations begin. Exempting pilots from environmental clearances will accelerate this process. Among 41 coal blocks up for sale, 21 are ideal for UCG due to their depth and inherent extraction challenges.

The coal ministry is also advancing with the coal trading exchange and launched two digital platforms—CLAMP and Koyla Shakti—to enhance sector transparency and efficiency. CLAMP aims to digitize land acquisition processes, while Koyla Shakti focuses on streamlining coordination in the coal industry.