A significant meeting of the Standing Scientific Research Committee (SSRC) took place on August 21, 2024, under the chairmanship of Shri Amrit Lal Meena, Secretary, Ministry of Coal. The session was devoted to Research and Development (R&D) projects within the coal sector, with a strong emphasis on advancing exploration techniques, enhancing coal production, improving safety measures, and safeguarding the environment.
The SSRC comprises representatives from multiple ministries and departments, including the Department of Science and Technology (DST), NITI Aayog, and the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). Industry representatives from CIL, NLCIL, SCCL and CMPDI also participated, alongside notable academic institutions such as IIT (ISM) Dhanbad, IIT (BHU) Varanasi, IIT Kanpur, and research organisations like the CIMFR and the CMERI.
During the meeting, CMPDI delivered a comprehensive presentation covering various aspects of R&D in the coal sector, highlighting challenges, actions taken, and future directions. The presentation detailed key focus areas and initiatives aimed at disseminating research findings. It was noted that Phase-1 of the “National Centre for Coal and Energy Research (NaCCER)” is currently being established at CMPDI, Ranchi, to advance research in the coal and energy sectors. Additionally, several high-impact projects, both completed and ongoing under the R&D/S&T scheme of CIL and the Ministry of Coal, were presented.
Following the presentation, participants engaged in detailed discussions, offering several key suggestions. These included conducting frequent reviews of high-impact R&D projects to ensure alignment with sectoral goals, incentivising participating mines and researchers who demonstrate impactful outcomes, and organising an annual national seminar to showcase beneficial R&D project outcomes. The formation of an advisory committee comprising IITs, NITs, and other reputed mining institutes was proposed to sensitise students and researchers to ongoing R&D activities and challenges in the coal and energy sector. Additionally, CMPDI was urged to raise awareness about R&D activities through visits to mining institutes and research organisations across the country.
The meeting also emphasised the importance of research in areas related to energy transition and achieving net-zero emissions. Participants suggested promoting the success of R&D projects through digital platforms and social media and called for the establishment of a unified platform for all R&D activities in the coal and lignite sector to avoid duplication of efforts.
The Ministry of Coal is actively seeking suggestions to shape the future course of R&D in the sector. The meeting concluded with a strong commitment to advancing research and development in the coal sector, focusing on innovation, sustainability, and addressing the evolving challenges of the energy landscape.
