Steel is the Backbone of India’s Economy, Coal and Mines Sector is the Strong Foundation on Which it Stands: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy. Coal Gasification is Being Promoted as an Alternative, with a Target of 100 MT by 2030. Minister Urges Industry Partners to Actively Engage in Auction of Coking Coal Blocks. Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy, addressed the 6th edition of India Steel, a premier biennial International Exhibition-cum Conference on the steel sector, in Mumbai Today. The International Exhibition-Cum-Conference on Steel served as a significant platform for dialogue among policymakers, industry leaders, academia, researchers, and civil society on the evolving dynamics of the steel sector and its symbiotic relationship with the coal industry. In his keynote address, Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Shri G.Kishan Reddy emphasized that steel serves as the backbone of India’s economic progress and a vital enabler of the national vision for Viksit Bharat 2047. He highlighted how India is setting new global benchmarks in infrastructure development, from the Chenab Bridge in Jammu & Kashmir, the world’s highest railway bridge, to the historic Pamban Bridge in Tamil Nadu—all made possible by the growing strength of the steel sector. Every milestone in the nation’s infrastructure journey, he remarked, is forged in steel—reflecting the momentum and aspirations of a Nation on the move. He adds that India’s steel sector has grown at an impressive pace in recent years, positioning the country as the second-largest steel producer globally. Citing the words of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Minister referred to steel as India’s “Sunrise Sector”a key driver of domestic consumption, industrial expansion, and self-reliance through the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan. Shri Reddy emphasized that if steel forms the backbone of India’s economy, the coal and mining sector represents the strong foundation on which it rests. He highlighted the importance of raw material security, especially in the context of the current session on Raw Material Strategy and the Shift in Raw Material Mix. Ensuring the availability of critical raw materials like iron ore, coking coal, limestone, and essential alloying elements such as manganese, nickel, and chromium, he noted, is both an economic necessity and a strategic imperative. India recently achieved a landmark milestone of 1 BT of coal production and dispatch in the last financial year—a transformative step toward national energy security. Energy Statistics 2025 reveal that coal continues to account for nearly 60% of India’s total energy requirements and 70% of its electricity generation. While efforts to enhance renewable energy are underway, the Minister reaffirmed that coal will remain central to India’s energy and industrial landscape in the foreseeable future. Focusing on coking coal, a critical input in steel manufacturing, Shri Reddy pointed out that it constitutes nearly 42% of steel production costs. India currently imports around 85% of its coking coal needs, rendering the industry vulnerable to international price volatility and supply chain disruptions. In response, the Government launched the Mission Coking Coal in 2021, aimed at reducing import dependency, targeting 140MT of domestic production, and increasing blending of domestic coal from 10% to 30% in steelmaking by 2030. On the second day of Steel Expo, Shri Vikram Dev Dutt, Secretary, Ministry of Coal, participated in the Round Table Interaction on Raw Material Availability in the Steel Sector and highlighted the remarkable shift in the coal sector’s approach. He remarked that the sector is undergoing through a historic paradigm shift from being a legacy sector to becoming a key pillar of the vision Atmanirbhar Bharat. Elaborating on the Ministry’s forward-looking strategy, he pointed out that efforts are being made to raise domestic coking coal production, improve coal washing practices to enhance fuel quality, and promote the adoption of advanced coke-making and gasification technologies to enable cleaner steelmaking. He emphasized that a collaborative approach involving both public and private stakeholders is essential to foster innovation and unlock the full potential of India’s coal reserves. Organized by the Ministry of Steel, India Steel Expo 2025 served as a premier platform for global stakeholders to deliberate on key issues pertaining to growth strategies, sustainable practices in steel production, resilience amidst evolving global economic conditions, and the pivotal role of innovation and digital transformation in enhancing industrial competitiveness. The event witnessed a constructive exchange of perspectives, exhibitions of advanced technologies, and comprehensive discussions on resource efficiency and environmental responsibility. The active participation of the Ministry of Coal further underscored the strategic integration of the coal and steel sectors, highlighting their collective commitment to fostering a sustainable, self-reliant, and forward-looking industrial landscape. The presence of prominent domestic and international participants reaffirmed India’s growing stature in shaping the future of the global coal and steel ecosystem.

Steel Backbone of India's Economy: Union Minister G Kishan Reddy

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G Kishan Reddy, emphasized the importance of the steel and coal sectors in India's economy during the 6th edition of India Steel Expo 2025. He highlighted that steel is the backbone of India's economic progress and a key driver of domestic consumption and industrial expansion. The Minister also discussed the government's initiative, Mission Coking Coal, to reduce import dependency on coking coal and increase domestic production.