Describe the distribution of coal in India

Hey there,

Distribution of Coal in India

Coal in India occurs mainly in two geological formations: Gondwana and Tertiary coal deposits.

1. Gondwana Coal
   • It is more than 200 million years old and accounts for the major share of India's coal resources.
   • The largest concentration is in the Damodar Valley, especially in Jharkhand and West Bengal.
   • Important coalfields include Jharia, Bokaro, Karanpura, Giridih and Raniganj.
   • Other important coal-bearing areas are the Godavari, Mahanadi, Son and Wardha valleys.
   • Major centres include Singrauli (Madhya Pradesh), Korba (Chhattisgarh), Talcher (Odisha), Chanda-Wardha (Maharashtra) and Singareni (Telangana).
2. Tertiary Coal
   • These deposits are about 55 million years old.
   • They are mainly found in Meghalaya, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
3. Lignite
   • Important lignite deposits occur at Neyveli in Tamil Nadu, along with deposits in Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir.

In short: India's major coal reserves are concentrated in the eastern and central parts of the country, particularly Jharkhand, West Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Madhya Pradesh.

Thanks

Nischal