RIL Proposes India’s First Integrated Underground Coal Gasification Complex in Andhra Pradesh

Key facts

• Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) has proposed a ₹2.73 lakh crore investment over 30 years for India's first integrated Underground Coal Gasification complex in Eluru district, Andhra Pradesh.
• The complex will be developed at the Chintalapudi and Recherla coal blocks, which together hold an estimated 3,130.61 million tonnes of coal reserves.
• The coal deposits are located at depths exceeding 600 metres, making them uneconomical for conventional mining.
• Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) converts deep-seated coal into synthesis gas (syngas) without physical extraction of coal.
• The investment is planned in three phases: exploration and pilot (up to ₹3,000 crore), development (₹1,20,000 crore), and production (₹1,50,000 crore).
• The project is expected to create 3,000-5,000 direct jobs and 20,000-35,000 indirect livelihoods at steady-state operations.
• The proposal aligns with the National Coal Gasification Mission's objective of 100 MT of coal gasification by 2030.