Delhi, 28 October (H.S.): The Indian Ministry of Coal announced on Tuesday its plan to launch the 14th round of commercial coal mine auctions this Wednesday, an event that will also mark the debut of two major digital platforms aimed at modernizing the sector.

Union Minister of Coal and Mines, G. Kishan Reddy, is scheduled to preside over the launch event in the nation's capital.This latest auction round continues the government's strategy to enhance domestic coal production and foster self-reliance, building on the commercial auction framework initiated in 2020.

A significant innovation in this round is the introduction of provisions for Underground Coal Gasification (UCG). This advanced technique is designed to exploit deep-seated coal reserves that are inaccessible through conventional mining, thereby aiming to reduce India's dependence on imported natural gas and crude oil.

The auction will offer a mix of fully and partially explored coal blocks to attract a wide range of investors.

In a push towards greater digitalization, the ministry will also unveil two transformative portals. The Coal Land Acquisition, Management, and Payment (CLAMP) portal is a unified digital platform intended to streamline and digitize all processes related to land acquisition and compensation, enhancing transparency and efficiency.

Simultaneously, the Koyla Shakti Dashboard will be launched as a comprehensive digital interface for the entire coal value chain. This platform will integrate operations from mines to markets, enabling real-time collaboration between coal companies, railways, ports, and consumers to optimize logistics and strengthen supply chain management.

The ministry stated that these initiatives are pivotal to its commitment to reform, ease of doing business, and the overarching vision of a developed India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar