Question

Which is the largest coal-producing state in India?
a.Chattisgarh
b.Jharkhand
c.Odisha
d.Madhya Pradesh

Answer 1

Hint: India is the fifth largest coal producing country in the world and the second fastest mined in the world. India produces about 716 million metric tons of coal.

Complete Step by Step Answer: The industrial heritage of India was built upon indigenous coal. The consumption of commercial coal in India has increased by 700% in the last four decades.

Due to increase in demand and poor average quality, the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) imports coal to meet the requirements of its steel plants. The largest coal-producing city in India is Dhanbad.

Coal is classified into 3 types based on carbon content :
-Anthracite: It is the best quality of coal with 80 to 95% carbon content. It is found in small quantities in Jammu and Kashmir.
-Bituminous: It has 60 to 80% of carbon content and has a high calorific value. Jharkhand, West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and have deposits of Bituminous coal.
-Lignite has 40 to 55% carbon content and has high moisture content. Rajasthan, Assam and Tamil Nadu have deposits of Lignite.
-Peat has low calorific value and less than 40% carbon content.

Jharkhand is the largest coal-producing state in India. The top coal-producing states are Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra.

Looking at the options above:

Option a: There are 9 coal mining sites in Chhattisgarh, the largest being Hasdeo-Arand coalfield which produces 57 billion tonnes of coal. This is not the correct option.

Option b: Jharkhand is the largest coal-producing which produces 83.15 billion tonnes of coal.Jharia coalfields of Jharkhand is largest coal mining site.

Option c: Odisha is the second largest coal producing state in India which produces 79.30 tonnes of coal. This is not the correct option.

Option d: The Sohagpur Coalfield in the basin of the Son River is the biggest coalfield in the state of Madhya Pradesh. It produces 27.99 tonnes of coal.

Option 'b' is correct.

Note: Coal is the important fossil fuel in India and is liable for 55% of the country's energy needs. The primary energy consumption in India is about 350 kg/year which is less than that of developed countries. The usage of coal consumption is expected to rise due to the rise in population, growing economy and search for improved quality of life.