Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday, 18 June 2026, declared that building self-reliance in the energy sector is the single most important task for a developed India, speaking at a coal gasification roadshow held in Mumbai. The event, organised to promote gasification investment in the state, drew attention to the intersection of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Atmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India) vision and Maharashtra's industrial energy ambitions.

Context

Fadnavis posted in both Marathi and Hindi, quoting himself at the roadshow: 'Urja kshetrat atmanirbharta nirmaan karne hech viksit Bharatacha sarvaat motha karya aahe' — 'Building self-reliance in the energy sector is the greatest task of a developed India.' The post was addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and tagged with #CoalGasification and #Maharashtra, signalling a direct alignment between state-level action and the Centre's energy policy agenda.

Policy Backdrop

India's push for coal gasification gained formal shape under the National Coal Gasification Mission, announced in 2020 as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat framework, with a target of converting 100 million tonnes (MT) of coal into gas by 2030. The technology converts domestic coal into syngas, reducing dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) and crude oil while leveraging India's substantial coal reserves. Maharashtra, as one of India's major industrial states, is a key destination for such investment roadshows aimed at attracting private-sector participation.

The broader strategy links energy security directly to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal — the government's blueprint to make India a developed nation by its centenary of independence. Central and state governments have jointly organised multiple gasification roadshows across industrial corridors to channel capital into this sector.

Stakeholders and Impact

The coal and energy sectors stand to gain the most from a successful gasification push. Domestic coal producers could see higher-value offtake, while industries dependent on natural gas — fertilisers, chemicals, steel — could benefit from a more stable and locally sourced feedstock. For Maharashtra, hosting such investment events positions the state as a frontrunner in the national energy transition narrative.

Consumers and the broader economy also have a stake: reduced LNG import bills could ease pressure on the current account deficit and stabilise industrial energy costs. Fadnavis's public endorsement, directed explicitly at the Prime Minister, underscores that the state government views gasification not merely as a technical project but as a political and economic priority.

What's Next

Observers will watch for concrete project allocations emerging from the Mumbai roadshow, including investment commitments from public-sector coal companies and private industrial groups. At the national level, upcoming Union Budget announcements and energy ministry policy reviews are expected to outline fresh incentives — such as viability gap funding or concessional financing — to accelerate gasification capacity. Maharashtra's willingness to co-host such events signals that state-level facilitation, including land, water, and grid connectivity, will be central to meeting the 2030 target.