Centre Signs Clean Energy Pact with Coal Gasification Firms

12 May 2025 CW Team

In a major move to advance cleaner energy alternatives, India鈥檚 Ministry of Coal has signed the Coal Gasification Plant Development and Production Agreement (CGPDPA) with selected applicants under Category II of the Coal Gasification Financial Incentive Scheme. This category encompasses both private companies and public sector undertakings.

The agreement signing took place in the presence of Shri Sanoj Kumar Jha, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Coal, alongside Shri Asheesh Kumar, Officer on Special Duty (Technical), and Shri BK Thakur, Director (Technical).

The selected applicants under Category II include:

1. Jindal Steel and Power Limited

2. New Era Cleantech Solution Private Limited

3. Greta Energy and Metal Private Limited

Launched on 24 January 2024, the financial incentive scheme carries a total outlay of Rs 85 billion. It targets the achievement of 100 million tonnes of coal gasification by 2030, aiming to utilise India鈥檚 vast domestic coal reserves to drive sustainable industrial growth. The scheme encourages broad participation from public and private sectors to establish coal gasification plants nationwide.

This initiative forms a core part of India鈥檚 clean coal transition roadmap. It is expected to mitigate environmental impact, bolster energy security, and promote economic development through technology-led infrastructure projects.

Image Source: thehansindia

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2025

Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train Set to Launch by 2028

India鈥檚 first bullet train is set to revolutionize high-speed travel along the western corridor, with the Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail project aiming for a 2028 launch. This announcement marks a major milestone in India鈥檚 infrastructure goals, as it promises to reduce travel time between the two economic hubs from eight hours to just three.Spanning a planned 508-kilometre stretch, the corridor stands as a flagship example of Indo-Japanese collaboration in technology and engineering. Once operational, the train is expected to transform intercity mobility and place India among the select..

Infrastructure Transport

15 May 2025

Mumbai-Gandhinagar Train Service Enhances Passenger Capacity

The Mumbai Central鈥揋andhinagar Capital Vande Bharat Express has increased its passenger capacity by adding four additional AC chair car coaches to meet the growing commuter demand on one of India鈥檚 busiest business corridors. This upgrade, effective from 11 May, raised the train鈥檚 seating capacity from 1,128 to 1,440 passengers, allowing it to serve 936 more passengers daily in both directions. The increase was described as a practical measure to accommodate the surging demand on the busy Mumbai鈥揂hmedabad鈥揋andhinagar route, which regularly operates at over 150 percent seat occupancy...

Infrastructure Urban

15 May 2025

Delhi Plans 12 Sewage Plants to Clean Najafgarh Drain Efficiently

Delhi鈥檚 ambitious plan to improve the water quality of the Yamuna River has gained significant momentum as the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) has begun work on 12 new sewage treatment plants (STPs) aimed at reducing the volume of untreated sewage being discharged from the Najafgarh Drain.This initiative forms part of the ongoing efforts to clean the Yamuna and restore the river鈥檚 health, which has long been a critical environmental issue for the national capital. Given the alarming pollution levels in the Yamuna, experts and officials consider this project a vital step toward addressing the persist..