Previous Year Question
Which of the following rock systems provides over 90% of the coal in India?
Vindhyan system
Dharwar system
Tertiary system
Gondwana system
Correct Answer: D
Detailed Solution
Most of India's coal resources occur in the Gondwana rock system. These coal deposits developed mainly in old river valleys and faulted basins of Peninsular India.
As on 1 April 2017, out of India's total coal resources of about 315,149 million tonnes, approximately 313,561 million tonnes were Gondwana Coal, while only about 1,588 million tonnes were Tertiary Coal. Thus, more than 99% of the country's coal resources occurred in Gondwana formations.
Major Gondwana coalfields of India include Jharia, Raniganj, Bokaro, North and South Karanpura, Talcher, Korba, Singrauli and the Godavari Valley. These are mainly associated with Peninsular river valleys such as the Damodar, Mahanadi, Son and Godavari.