SINGAPORE: India is ramping up efforts to turn coal into gas, joining several other Asian economies such as
China and Indonesia in turning to the centuries-old technology to reduce dependence on imported fuels.
New Delhi’s push has gained fresh urgency as shipping disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz during the
US-Israel war on Iran threaten supplies of crude oil, liquified petroleum gas (LPG) and fertiliser feedstock to
import-dependent economies such as India, say analysts.
For India, coal gasification seems an obvious answer given its vast reserves of the fossil fuel.
Yet experts say it may face the toughest challenge among regional peers, with obstacles ranging from the
characteristics of Indian coal and water-intensive operations to financing constraints and fragmented
policymaking