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India weighs coal-to-gas push amid ₹2.7 trillion import bill

2026-10-18 · 1 source · Mint Industry

In short

India is trying to turn coal into cheap industrial gas. The reporting says the country has 400 billion tonnes of coal and a ₹2.7 trillion import bill for energy products and chemicals.

This matters because the plan could affect energy and chemicals costs in India. It is still unclear whether the big investments will work in volatile markets.

What the reporting says

India is racing to turn coal into industrial gas, supported by multi-billion-rupee bets, against the backdrop of a ₹2.7 trillion import bill for energy products and chemicals, according to a publisher summary. The country has about 400 billion tonnes of coal, which is the stated resource base for the push. The immediate question is whether the economics and volatile markets will support the plan, but the reporting does not state any final project outcome.

Why it matters

India is pursuing a coal-to-gas push using its reported 400 billion tonnes of coal, amid a ₹2.7 trillion import bill for energy products and chemicals. The story frames this as a multi-billion-rupee bet to make industrial gas cheaper. That could matter for energy, chemicals and broader industrial costs in India, but the available reporting does not say which projects are approved, which companies are involved, or whether the economics will succeed.

Touches: Energy, Commodities, Economy, Global

Sources