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Secretary, MNRE, Santosh Kumar Sarangi said that India’s clean energy transition requires diversification of renewable energy sources and greater focus on region-specific solutions. He emphasized that Small Hydro Power is a mature, reliable and environmentally sustainable renewable energy technology that can play a crucial role in strengthening energy security, supporting rural development and promoting balanced regional growth.

The Ministry said that the newly launched Scheme aims to support installation of approximately 1500 Megawatt of new Small Hydro Power capacity. The Scheme with a total financial outlay of over 2 thousand five hundred crore rupees, aims to provide Central Financial Assistance for SHP projects, support for preparation of detailed project reports and support for capacity building and others.

In a parallel effort to strengthen energy security and reduce import dependence, the government is promoting coal gasification as a key component of India’s self-reliance strategy. The initiative aims to produce syngas domestically for use in sectors such as fertilizers, steel and energy, thereby reducing reliance on imported petroleum products and saving foreign exchange. To boost investment in the sector, the Centre has announced incentives worth Rs 46,000 crore, while states including Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Odisha have introduced supportive policies. The Fertilizer Ministry is also working on a policy framework to encourage urea production through coal gasification technology. The government has further assured that adequate coal reserves are available, with an estimated 81-day stock for the power sector, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supply to thermal power plants.

The entire project is estimated to cost around ₹1,063.60 crore and is currently waiting for final approvals from government bodies like NITI Aayog and DIPAM. This initiative is a big step forward for India’s aviation sector. By producing cleaner fuel locally, the project aims to drastically cut down carbon emissions from airplanes, boost the country’s green energy ecosystem, and strengthen national energy security.

Beyond its core lending role, PFC has transitioned into a vital strategic partner for the Government of India, actively supporting the nation’s journey toward energy security. Smt. Parminder Chopra emphasized that the company’s resilience is deeply linked to the national agenda, particularly through the prioritized funding of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and critical support for State Power Utilities. This proactive approach ensures that as national power demand reaches record highs, PFC remains at the forefront of fueling a sustainable and energy-secure future for the country.

Looking ahead, PFC is aggressively diversifying its portfolio to include emerging infrastructure sectors such as logistics, waste-to-energy, and e-mobility. By leveraging its Maharatna status to access competitive funding from domestic and international markets, the corporation is maintaining a solid financial trajectory that supports India’s broader infrastructure goals. This commitment to long-term excellence and strategic financing positions PFC not just as a financial powerhouse, but as a key architect in building a modern, efficient, and self-reliant energy landscape for India.

The visit marked an important occasion for reviewing the company’s operational achievements, ongoing initiatives, and strategic roadmap for future growth. Discussions were held on key aspects relating to production, dispatch, mine safety, operational efficiency, and sustainable development initiatives undertaken by ECL.

As part of the programme, the Hon’ble Minister visited the Kunustoria Area of ECL, where he was welcomed by Shri Satish Jha, CMD, ECL in the presence of Md. Anzar Alam, Director (Finance), Shri Gunjan Kumar Sinha, Director (HR), Shri Girish Gopinathan Nair, Director (Technical), senior executives, General Managers, and Heads of Departments. A ceremonial Guard of Honour was presented to the Hon’ble Minister during the visit.

During the review meeting, Shri Dubey emphasized the need for balancing coal production with environmental responsibility and encouraged the adoption of modern, sustainable, and eco-conscious mining practices. He highlighted the importance of technological advancement, efficient resource utilization, and continuous improvement in safety standards to strengthen ECL’s operational capabilities.

Hon’ble Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Government of India, Shri Satish Chandra Dubey appreciated the efforts of Eastern Coalfields Limited and congratulated Team ECL for its commendable performance during the financial year 2025–26 despite several operational and external challenges. He particularly acknowledged the company’s progressive initiatives in Underground Coal Gasification for effective utilization of coal at greater depth, scientific mine closure activities for repurposing of mined out land,  implementation of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects for minimizing air pollution and faster transportation of coal, expansion of solar energy installations etc. He further advised that systematic and periodic stock verification measures need to be adopted for ensuring accuracy of declared coal stock.

Referring to the prevailing crisis in global scenario due to war in west asia and emerging energy challenges worldwide, the Hon’ble Minister emphasized the crucial role of ECL in strengthening the nation’s energy security and maintaining operational resilience while maintaining optimum utilization of resources. He expressed confidence that ECL would achieve even greater milestones and attain a more advanced status of implementation of all activities across all operational and developmental parameters before his next visit.

The Hon’ble Minister also directed that all issues that need intervention from the ministry of coal (related to different authorities in centre/ state) and developmental matters to be submitted in a consolidated and structured manner so that necessary follow-up actions could be pursued effectively by the ministry of coal in coordination with both the State and Central Governments.

The Hon’ble Minister also shared valuable policy guidance and strategic inputs aimed at enhancing productivity and supporting the long-term growth of the company. Reiterating the Government’s commitment towards strengthening India’s energy security, he expressed appreciation for the dedication and collective efforts of Team ECL.

Recognizing ECL as one of the oldest and prominent subsidiaries of Coal India Limited, Shri Dubey conveyed confidence in the company’s future prospects and appreciated its continued contribution towards meeting the nation’s coal and energy requirements.

Dr Vohra highlighted India’s growing global stature driven by strong economic growth, digital progress, and strategic strength, urging efforts toward a ‘Viksit Bharat’. Kumar reaffirmed Indian Oil’s role in nation-building, stressing its commitment to ensuring energy security and uninterrupted fuel supply even during global disruptions.