Coal was very essential for the development of industries.

Coal is primarily composed of carbon,

along with various other elements and compounds. Coal is used in various industrial
processes, such as steel production, cement manufacturing, and chemical production. During
the colonial period, There were various factories set up in Bengal, Bengal, and Orissa. The most
mass use of coal is in generating electricity. The first coal-fired power plant in India, the Calcutta
Electric Supply Corporation, started operating in 1899 in Kolkata. Coal could also be used as
a fuel due to its abundance and relatively low cost of extraction. The demand for coal increased
drastically due to the expansion of railways. Coal is still very important today in generating
electricity, industries, and as a fuel. But One of the most significant disadvantages of coal is its
environmental impact. When burned, coal releases large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2)
and other greenhouse gases, contributing to climate change and air pollution. Coal mining
and coal combustion have health risks associated with them. Coal is a finite resource,
meaning it takes millions of years to form and is being depleted faster than it can be
replenished.These reasons carbon footprint makes it an unsustainable choice in the long run.