NEW DELHI – Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday that India’s domestic coal production is projected to grow 6–7% annually, aiming to reach 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029-30.

The move is designed to meet rising energy demands and reduce non-essential imports. Minister Reddy noted that coal demand is expected to peak around 2040, ensuring that there will be no immediate "transition away from coal" that would impact mining communities in the short to medium term.

Key Challenges Highlighted:

• Renewable Competition: Rapid growth in solar and wind power has led to an accumulation of pit-head coal stocks.
• Extraction Difficulties: Depletion of shallow reserves and the high cost of mining beyond 300 meters.
• Logistics: Ongoing hurdles in land acquisition and the authentication of land records.

In the 2024-25 period, India's coal production stood at approximately 1,047.69 MT, marking a steady climb toward the government's end-of-decade targets.