Coal India and its subsidiary Western Coalfields (WCL) have identified four to five closed mines in the Chhindwara Pench area in Madhya Pradesh for setting up green projects.

These integrated solar and pump storage projects would be established in de-coaled land from where coal has been extracted fully.

The move is aimed at the optimum utilisation of WCL assets and the mines have been identified wherein integrated solar and hydropower plants would contribute to green energy production. WCL chairman and other officials visited and inspected the old coal mines where mining work has been finished.

The government has approved a scheme to promote coal gasification through viability gap funding (VGF).

It will give financial support of Rs 1,000 crore or 15 percent of the project cost or whichever is lower, for private sector initiative or for private entrepreneurs who want to set up small gasification plants.