Reports of no applications under Rs 37,500-crore coal gasification scheme premature, incorrect: Coal Ministry

New Delhi, Sep 5 (AHN) The Ministry of Coal on Saturday said reports that the Rs 37,500 crore Scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal or Lignite Gasification Projects has attracted no applications are premature and incorrect.

The ministry said that Talcher Fertilisers Limited and NTPC Limited have already submitted their respective applications through the online portal.

The ministry is also in communication with other prospective applicants who are at various stages of project preparation and application finalisation, an official statement said.

The first‑round deadline for submissions is September 7, 2026.

Accordingly, the number of applications received in the first round cannot be assessed or stated conclusively until the application window closes, and hence the ministry warned that any assessment before that is inconclusive.

Further, more applicants are at various stages of project preparation and that the scheme’s rolling, multi‑round application design allows new entrants to apply in subsequent rounds that open the day after each window closes and remain open for two months.

Large scale and complexity of the projects envisaged under the Scheme, requires applicants to undertake substantial preparatory work, including preparation of Pre-Feasibility Reports, assessment of technology options, identification of coal/lignite and other feedstock arrangements, evaluation of project economics and preparation of detailed project proposals.

Hence, additional applicants may finalise and submit their proposals as the deadline approaches, the statement noted.

The ministry remains confident of strong industry participation in the Scheme and that the scheme will catalyse investments of approximately Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Rs 3 lakh crore across nearly 25 projects and generate around 50,000 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

The scheme will also contribute significantly towards the Government’s broader objective of achieving 100 million tonnes of coal gasification capacity by 2030.

The scheme for Promotion of Surface Coal/Lignite Gasification Projects was approved by the Union Cabinet on May 13, 2026 with a total financial outlay of Rs 37,500 crore. The scheme aims to accelerate the development of coal and lignite gasification in the country and promote the conversion of domestic coal and lignite into higher-value products, including syngas, methanol, ammonia and urea.