The Union environment ministry's expert appraisal committee has declined to grant an exemption to minimum depth for underground coal gasification (UCG) projects in view of environmental impacts.
The committee observed that critical parameters governing the environmental safety of Underground Coal Gasification vary significantly across coalfields in India and cannot be directly compared with global UCG projects.
Coal gasification is a key focus area for the government, aimed at harnessing the country's vast coal reserves efficiently and sustainably, according to the coal ministry.
The Coal Gasification Mission launched in 2020 has a target of 100 million tonnes by 2030.
However, the committee held that exemption from the prescribed minimum depth criterion of 300 metres cannot be granted, citing the precautionary principle and the need to ensure long-term environmental safeguards.
