# Parliament panel wants modern washeries to boost quality coal 2026-08-08T02:52:52+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 1 independent outlet The parliamentary Standing Committee on Coal, Mines and Steel has flagged high-ash content in domestically produced coal as a major challenge. In its latest report, the panel called for priority to coal beneficiation and modernisation of washery infrastructure. The Hindu reports that many of Coal India's washeries have outlived their designed life and use legacy technology. Coal India currently produces only 3.59 million tonnes of washed coking coal against a capacity of 18.35 million tonnes per annum. The committee urged timely modernisation of ageing washeries, removal of logistical constraints, and setting up washeries at or near pitheads. It noted that pithead beneficiation improves transport efficiency, lowers emissions, and enhances coal economics. India's reliance on imported coking coal stems partly from this domestic quality gap. ## Coverage - thehindu.com Tags: coal, coal imports, Coal India, coking coal, parliamentary committee, washery infrastructure Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/parliament-panel-wants-modern-washeries-to-boost-quality-coal/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/parliament-panel-wants-modern-washeries-to-boost-quality-coal/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.