NEW DELHI — The Ministry of Coal has dismissed reports indicating a lack of industry interest in the Centre’s ₹37,500 crore Surface Coal and Lignite Gasification Scheme, clarifying that the initial application window remains open through September 7, 2026.
Confirming active participation from state-owned majors including NTPC Ltd and Talcher Fertilisers Ltd (TFL), the Ministry expects the policy framework to leverage total capital investments between ₹2.5 lakh crore and ₹3 lakh crore across approximately 25 domestic projects.
Strategic Scheme Parameters & Application Milestones
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Cabinet Approval & Financial Allocation:
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Approved Capital: ₹37,500 crore outlay sanctioned by the Union Cabinet on May 13, 2026.
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Strategic Objective: Accelerate industrial conversion of domestic coal and lignite into higher-value chemical feedstocks, including syngas, methanol, synthetic natural gas, ammonia, and urea.
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National Capacity Target: Supports the central target of achieving 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal gasification capacity by 2030, with an estimated generation of 50,000 direct and indirect jobs.
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Project Application Status & Key Applicants:
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First Application Window: Closes September 7, 2026 (RFP issued July 7, 2026).
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Active Enterprise Submissions: Talcher Fertilisers Ltd (TFL) and NTPC Ltd have formally submitted project proposals via the Ministry’s online portal.
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Rolling Application Mechanism: Subsequent application windows will operate on a continuous two-month cycle following the close of the initial window to accommodate pre-feasibility and technology selection timelines.
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