India's coal imports are expected to approach 197 mln tons by 2017

India is expected to increase its coal imports to 197 mln tons by 2017 to satisfy growing energy demand, reported Pratik Prakashbapu Patil, Minister of Coal. The country has lately become more energy depended with its energy dependency growing from 6% to 13% in the last six years, according to PTI. The domestic coal output is likely to jump to 770 MT while coal imports are projected to amount 194 MT by 2017.