The correct option is 1 only.
Explanation
Coal is the most important source of energy in India, accounting for a significant portion of the country's commercial energy consumption. While India possesses substantial geological reserves of coal, primarily of Gondwana origin, the quality and specific characteristics of these reserves necessitate international trade to meet domestic industrial demands.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct.
Despite having the fourth-largest coal reserves in the world, India imports significant quantities of high-grade coal. This is primarily because Indian coal generally has a lower calorific value and is deficient in coking coal, which is essential for the steel industry. Consequently, India imports coking coal and high-grade thermal coal to bridge the quality gap and meet the specific technical requirements of power plants and blast furnaces.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect.
Indian coal is characterized by high ash content (often ranging from 35% to 45%) and low sulphur content. The high ash content is attributed to the drift theory of formation, where vegetation was transported by rivers and deposited in lake basins, leading to the intermixing of silt and sand with the organic matter. Low ash content is a feature of high-quality imported coal (e.g., from Australia or Indonesia), not domestic Indian coal.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect.
The Damodar Valley region is known as the "storehouse of Indian coal" or the "Ruhr of India." It contains some of the country's most significant and productive coalfields, including Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro, and Giridih. It accounts for a vast majority of India's prime coking coal reserves.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: India possesses abundant non-coking coal reserves but faces a scarcity of prime coking coal. Domestic coal is characterized by high ash content and low calorific value, necessitating the import of high-grade coal for the metallurgical and power sectors.