The Chief Minister's Office of Maharashtra announced that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy attended a roadshow in Mumbai on 18 June 2026 to promote Surface Coal and Lignite Gasification, with Union Minister of State Satish Chandra Dubey and other dignitaries also present at the event.

Context

The roadshow, held at 4:10 PM in Mumbai, brought together central and state government leadership to build momentum for coal gasification technology. The event was organised under the aegis of the Ministry of Coal, with participation from Maharashtra's top executive signalling strong state-level buy-in for the initiative.

The post stated that the gathering aimed at promoting Surface Coal / Lignite Gasification — a process that converts coal into synthetic gas (syngas) for industrial and energy applications, reducing dependence on imported fuels and chemicals.

Policy Backdrop

The Ministry of Coal has set a national target of gasifying 100 million tonnes of coal by 2030, building on earlier pilot projects and technology demonstrations across the country. Surface gasification — as distinct from underground coal gasification — processes coal at the surface into syngas usable for power generation, fertiliser production, and industrial heating.

National energy policy has increasingly emphasised gasification as a means to extract greater value from India's domestic coal reserves while curbing import bills for chemicals and liquid fuels. Maharashtra, as a major industrial state, is seen as a key potential host for such technology-driven projects.

Stakeholders and Impact

The presence of both CM Devendra Fadnavis and Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy at the same platform underscores the centre-state coordination that characterises the current push for coal sector modernisation under BJP-led governments at both levels. MoS Satish Chandra Dubey, who oversees coal-related portfolios at the central level, added further institutional weight to the event.

Industries in Maharashtra's coal-bearing and industrial belts stand to benefit most directly from gasification projects, which could create downstream supply chains for syngas-based products. The broader energy sector, including fertiliser and chemical manufacturers, is closely watching the pace of project announcements and viability assessments.

What's Next

Following the roadshow, the immediate milestones to watch include formal project proposals from interested developers, viability gap funding decisions by the central government, and environmental impact assessments for any gasification plants proposed in Maharashtra. The roadshow format itself is designed to attract private-sector interest and signal policy seriousness to investors.

With the 2030 national gasification target approaching, the frequency of such centre-state engagements is likely to increase, and Maharashtra's active participation positions it as a front-runner for early project allocations under the national coal gasification programme.