In a visionary address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared coal an enduring force in India’s pursuit of ‘Developed India 2047.’ Balancing optimism for renewables with hard-nosed realism, he positioned coal as the reliable engine driving national progress.
PM Modi’s remarks at the coal ministry event cut through international pressures for immediate fossil fuel exits. ‘Our development cannot pause for perfection,’ he said, advocating coal’s role in fueling mega infrastructure like high-speed rails and smart cities.
Key initiatives unveiled include Coal Gasification Mission targeting 100 million tonnes capacity, critical minerals extraction from coal ash, and AI-optimized mining for zero-waste operations. These steps aim to make Indian coal cleaner and more competitive globally.
Contextualizing the big picture, India faces surging power needs from EVs, data centers, and cooling amid climate change. Coal’s dispatchable nature makes it indispensable, complementing solar and wind’s variability.
The Prime Minister linked this to Atmanirbhar Bharat, noting coal’s multiplier effect on steel, cement, and fertilizers—sectors vital for $5 trillion GDP target. With assured supplies, India averts blackouts plaguing peers.
Optimism prevails as stakeholders applaud the roadmap. Coal’s renaissance, powered by technology, ensures energy security paves the way for India’s tryst with development destiny.