Kendrapada: Union minister for coal and mines, G Kishan Reddy, informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday that Odisha has an estimated 243.52 billion cubic metres (BCM) of Coal Bed Methane reserves and coal resources of 99,203.83 million tonnes (MT) as of Apr 1, 2024.
Responding to MP Pradeep Purohit’s query, the minister shared India’s coal export data, highlighting fluctuations in recent years. Exports stood at 1.030 MT in 2019-20, peaked at 2.945 MT in 2020-21, and reached 1.370 MT for 2024-25 (up to Dec 2024).
The govt has undertaken several initiatives to boost coal production nationwide, including in Odisha. The MMDR Amendment Act, 2021, now allows captive mine owners to sell up to 50% of their annual production in the open market. A Single Window Clearance portal has been launched to fast-track mine operationalisation. Coal India Limited has modernized its operations by deploying Mass Production Technologies in underground mines and advanced equipment in opencast mines.
Similarly, Singareni Collieries Company Limited is upgrading coal evacuation infrastructure, including Coal Handling Plants and crushers, to enhance efficiency in coal production.