<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">The Centre today, March 15 said that domestic coal production is expected to grow by 6 to 7 per cent annually in next few years to reach about 1.5 billion tonnes in 2029-30. In a written reply in the Lok Sabha, Coal and Mines Minister Pralhad Joshi said coal demand in 2021-22 has increased by 13.44 per cent over the previous year.</p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;">     </p>''<p style="margin: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #222222;">He said it is estimated to increase coal demand to about 1.5 billion tonnes by 2029-30. The government has initiated several steps to ramp up domestic coal production in the country in order to achieve self-reliance. The Minister said for smooth transit of coal to end-users, steps are also being taken to improve evacuation infrastructure through new rail projects and to mechanize coal loading through First Mile Connectivity projects.</span></p>