Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan recently said that the potential for the rise of energy demand could come from India oil and coal will continue to make up a significant portion of the country's energy basket.

He added that with the adoption of new technology, India will slowly phase-out out the present energy consumption patterns and move towards a cleaner route.

Recent endeavors by private companies like Adani Group Goa and also Jhajjar Power in NCR have proven that this is indeed possible. FGD technology eliminates carbon dioxide released from coal burning.

If it comes to accountable coal managing, major port operator Adani Group in Goa -- which boasts of a comprehensive port portfolio around Goa, Gujarat, along with other coastal regions -- continues to be one of the frontrunners.

For instance, it uses recycled and reused water at its plants at Mundra and Udupi for the reduction of coal dust and removal of bottom ash generated at the boilers.

States and companies like the NTPC, Tata Power, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra that contribute to approximately 50 percent of the present power production capability of India, have also commendably committed to not building new coal power plants.

Many have even been transitioning into solar power. Such unparalleled strides coupled with sustainability measures taken by firms such as Jhajjar Power Limited at NCR and Adani Group at Goa will reduce the dependence on coal, and should notat least suppress the environmental effects.