Coal India Limited (CIL) Chairman and Managing Director B Sairam assured on January 31, 2026, that the company is fully prepared to meet energy requirements and address supply gaps for power plants during the ongoing crisis in West Asia.
Speaking from Korba, Chhattisgarh, he said that although gas-based power generation has been affected, CIL has adequate coal reserves to support the power sector and industries such as steel, ensuring uninterrupted production.
“The recent crisis has mainly affected gas-based power plants, creating challenges in electricity generation. If gas output falls, coal must step in to fill the gap, and as the largest producer, Coal India carries the biggest responsibility. As its chairman, I can confidently say our team is fully prepared, with sufficient coal stocks to meet demand. There is no disruption in coal production or supply,” he stated.
Sairam emphasised that power plants currently have the capacity to absorb the available coal and that CIL is capable of meeting this demand without any disruption. He outlined the company's plans to enhance operations by incorporating digital technology to improve efficiency, planning, sustainability, and safety.
He added that beyond coal, CIL is diversifying by pursuing critical minerals, expanding across 16 states, and entering the rail sector. The company is advancing coal-based gasification with a project underway in Lakhanpur, Odisha, and further plans in Maharashtra and West Bengal.
Sairam highlighted CIL's aim to maintain production levels to ensure reliable supply to the power sector, thermal projects, and industries such as steel.
The West Asia conflict has led to increased coal consumption in many Indian states as users shift from LPG to coal. Industry observers note this change reflects a national trend, with shortages of LPG and rising fuel costs forcing many eateries and establishments in both urban and hill regions to use coal, kerosene, and wood-fired stoves, often at the expense of efficiency and sustainability.
Separately, Union Minister G Kishan Reddy stated on January 28, 2026, that coal gasification could reduce India's import dependence on petrochemicals, crude oil, and fertilisers. He noted that the government aims to scale up the sector through incentives and new investments.
Coal gasification is a technology that converts coal into syngas, which can then produce cleaner fuels, chemicals, fertilisers, and hydrogen. This technology promotes more efficient and sustainable use of domestic resources while strengthening economic resilience.