Coal Production in India
Emphasis on Coal Production in India
Why in News:
- Recently, the Ministry of Coal has set a target of producing 1 billion tonnes of coal in the period 2023-24.
- Whereas, a target has been set to produce 1.23 billion tonnes of coal by the year 2024-25 which includes Coal India Limited and non-CIL companies.
Coal Production in India:
figures-
- Coal production in India is 73.08 million tonnes in the year 2019-20 while 71.60 million tonnes in the year 2020-21.
- More than 90 percent of coal in India is produced by Coal India Limited only.
- Coal India Limited has a total of 290 mines in operation, of which 97 coal mines produce more than 1 million tonnes per annum.
- Some mines have also been given to other companies for coal production, these are called captive mines.
- Top five coal producing countries in the year 2021 - China, India, Indonesia, United States of America and Australia.
- Government of India has set these targets for coal production to maintain uninterrupted power supply in the country.
- The State Governments are responsible for the supply of electricity in India. State governments buy electricity from electricity distribution companies and then this electricity is given to consumers. In many states, private companies are also engaged in the work of distribution of electricity.
Coal Reserves in India:
- According to the Ministry of Coal, Government of India, India has total coal reserves of 319 billion tonnes.
- India is one of the five countries in the world with the largest reserves of coal.
- The largest reserves of coal in India are in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.
- Apart from this, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Sikkim, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh also have coal reserves.
Coal Producing States - Coal Fields
West Bengal - Raniganj (oldest coal field in India)
Jharkhand- Jharia (India's largest coal field), Bokaro, Dhanbad, Giridih, Karanpura, Ramgarh, Daltonganj
Madhya Pradesh- Singrauli, Suhagpur, Johla, Umaria, Satpura Coalfields
Odisha- Talcher, Himgiri, Rampur
Andhra Pradesh- Kantapalli, Singareni
Chhattisgarh- Korba, Bisrampur, Sonhat, Jhilmil, Hasdo-Arand
Arunachal Pradesh- Namchuk-Namphuk
Meghalaya- Umralong, Darangigiri, Cherrapunji, Mawlong, Langrin
Assam - Makum, Nazira, Janji
Coal:
- Coal is formed from the remains of trees or vegetation. Coal is also called fossil fuel or fossil fuel. Carbon is mainly present in coal.
- The conversion or transformation of trees or vegetation into coal is called "carbonization".
- Coal is also called black gold.
Type of Coal:
On the basis of the amount of carbon, coal is of four types-
- Peat Coal:- The amount of carbon in it ranges from 50% to 60%. On burning it, more ash and smoke comes out. It is the lowest grade coal.
- Lignite Coal:- The amount of carbon in coal ranges from 65% to 70%. Its color is brown, the amount of water vapor in it is high.
- Bituminous coal:- It is also called soft coal. It is used in domestic works. The amount of carbon in it ranges from 70% to 85%.
- Anthracite Coal:- This is the best grade of coal. The amount of carbon in it remains more than 85%.
Conclusion:
- Among the world's largest coal producing countries, India is focusing on increasing coal production to meet the growing demand of its fuel supply and keeping in view the future requirements.
- Apprehension has been expressed that if attention is not paid to energy production in the country in time, there may be power cut at large scale.
- Central Government is also working to start new rail line under PM-Gati Shakti initiative for systematic evacuation of coal.
- Government of India should set up special teams for speedy completion of construction projects related to coal supply.
- Coal plays a special role in the development journey of any developing country.
- In view of this, the central government has set this target to speed up the development of the economy.
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