India has accelerated exploration and drilling of coal in the northeastern states of the country, said Ministry of Coal Project Adviser Anindya Sinha.

A release by PHD Chamber quoted Sinha saying, "Government has accelerated to explore and drill coal in northern eastern part of the country, particularly in states of Assam, Meghalaya and Nagaland, given their prospective coal potentials".

The government has also issued directives to all coal companies to set up washeries at their coal mining plants to enable them generate 'Swachh Coal' or clean coal for energy generation as well as meet requirements of steel plants, he said.

"A phased manner time table has been given to national companies to produce clean coal to address the issue of environment and ecology," Sinha added.