Jharsuguda, June 20 -- Union Coal and Mines Minister G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Coal India Limited (CIL) are jointly investing Rs 25,000 crore in a coal gasification project in Odisha, marking a major step towards expanding the use of coal beyond conventional power generation.

Speaking to reporters in Jharsuguda during an event attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu, the Minister said the initiative would open new opportunities in fertiliser production while creating jobs in the region.

"Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President Droupadi Murmu have ushered in a new chapter for Odisha's coal sector. Moving beyond the traditional use of coal, new a...