India is investing 37,500 crore rupees into coal gasification to convert coal into syngas for chemicals and fertilizers. While this reduces local air pollution and reliance on imported natural gas, it does not eliminate carbon emissions and requires significant energy and water inputs. The strategy mirrors China's coal-to-chemicals model, providing industrial stability but risking long-term carbon lock-in. The success of this approach depends on whether it is paired with carbon capture and a genuine scale-up of renewable energy storage.
