India's Lakhanpur Coal Gasification Project Boosts Energy Security

Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy said the government is prioritising energy security by shifting to coal gasification, offering incentives worth about Rs 46,000 crore and expecting more than 35 companies to start such projects within two months.

The foundation stone for the Rs 25,000 crore Lakhanpur coal‑to‑ammonium nitrate project in Jharsuguda, Odisha, was laid virtually by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The joint venture between Coal India Ltd (51 %) and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (49 %) aims to commission by September 2029, producing roughly 0.66 million tonnes per year of technical‑grade ammonium nitrate, reducing imports, creating regional jobs and supporting India’s self‑reliance agenda.