The Union environment ministry's expert appraisal committee has declined to grant an exemption from the minimum depth requirement for underground coal gasification (UCG) projects, citing environmental impacts. The coal ministry sought relaxation of the >300m depth condition for the R&D UCG pilot project at Kasta (West) Block of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Jharkhand. The committee emphasized the heterogeneity of Indian conditions and invoked the precautionary principle, rejecting direct comparisons with international precedents.
The Union environment ministry's expert appraisal committee (EAC) declined the coal ministry's request for exemption from the minimum depth (>300 meters) condition for underground coal gasification projects during its meeting on February 23. This ruling pertains to the R&D UCG pilot project at Kasta (West) Block of Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Jharkhand.
The coal ministry cited 36 pilot studies conducted across nine countries to support its plea, highlighting Uzbekistan's Podzemgaz UCG Station, which has operated since 1961 at depths of approximately 150-200 meters and produced syngas. However, the committee noted that critical parameters governing environmental safety in UCG vary significantly across Indian coalfields and cannot be directly compared to global projects.
The committee stated, “Given the heterogeneity of Indian conditions and the variability in hydrogeological and geomechanical settings from region to region, international precedents cannot be treated as directly comparable benchmarks. In view of the precautionary principle and the need to ensure long-term environmental safeguards, the Committee concluded that exemption from the prescribed minimum depth criterion of 300 metres cannot be granted.”
The issue was previously discussed in the EAC's meeting on September 1, 2025, where it recommended exemption from prior environmental clearance for pilot-scale UCG projects not involving commercial production, subject to safeguards such as minimum operational depth >300 meters, aquifer protection measures, groundwater monitoring, and submission of environmental and geo-mechanical assessments. Key parameters considered by the EAC include the depth to groundwater table and its range, as well as the permeability and hydraulic conductivity of strata separating the aquifer from the coal seam, which are crucial for preventing potential groundwater contamination.
Coal gasification remains a key focus for the government to harness India's vast coal reserves efficiently and sustainably. The Coal Gasification Mission, launched in 2020, targets 100 million tonnes by 2030. India's coal reserves are estimated at 378 billion tonnes, with about 199 billion tonnes proven, and currently around 80% is used in thermal power plants. Coal gasification is a thermo-chemical process that converts coal into synthesis gas consisting of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Setting up a coal gasification plant is capital-intensive and requires at least 48 months.