1. COAL CONSERVATION, UTILISATION AND
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
COAL CONSERVATION
1 Conservation of coal enjoins maximum recovery of in-situ reserves of
coal. Coal deposits in India occur mostly in thick seams and at shallow
depths. These aspects are taken into account during mine planning and
operation in ensuring maximum recovery.
2 Mechanised opencast mining in India is one of the very important
technology of coal production of thick seam from shallow depth.. The
percentage recovery by this method is up to 80% to 90% of the in-situ
coal reserves. The coal production from opencast method in Indian
mining is more than 75% of total production. This trend is likely to
continue in near future. The thick seam deposits earlier developed in
Bord and Pillar method or other methods of underground mining which
had been standing on pillars for long in absence of a suitable technology
of extraction have now become extractable by opencast mining with
HEMM equipment of suitable type. This method has been tried with
success in some of the mines of WCL, BCCL, CCL and ECL mines
where underground mining was carried out in the past under the
relatively shallow cover.
3 In case of SCCL, the scope for planning for opencast mines is limited,
longwall methods are being applied in the case of underground mines to
achieve higher underground production with higher percentage of
recovery.
The longwall method of mining is also being implemented in SECL,
ECL and BCCL in Coal India.. The overall recovery in longwall
technology is comparatively more than the recovery in B&P mining .
Mines having difficult geo-mining conditions like steep and irregular
coal seam deposits, gassy seams, contiguous and multi-section seams,
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2. necessitate the introduction of some specific technology for exploitation
of such deposits.
For extraction of multi-section seams of thickness more than 4.8 mtrs.
methods such as Blasting gallery, Sub-level Caving, and Cable bolting
have been adopted in some of the mines. In Margherita area of NEC
special methods of mining such as, Bhaska method, Tipong method,
Shield method, and Flexible roofing have been tried . Presently Tipong
method and Scraper assisted chamber method are in use.
SAND STOWING
4 Sand stowing in underground mines is yet another effective means of
coal conservation, which is widely in use for extraction of coal pillars
from underground coal seams and coal seams lying underneath built up
area, such as surface structures, railway lines, roads, rivers, nallahs,
Jores, etc. Sand stowing is also used for protection against fire in coal
seams.
Under Research & Development activities for increased extraction of
coal, the following projects have been taken up :
(i) Optimal extraction of coal in locked up pillars underneath aquifers
and fragile ecology - CMRI/SECL
(ii) Development of an efficient method of extraction of developed
pillars for seam thickness up to 3.5m - SECL
(iii) Optimal extraction of coal locked in pillars of multiple and thick
seams - NIRM/SCCL
(iv) Optimisation of pillar parameters for development and final
extraction of highly inclined seams at SCCL mines - SCCL/ NIRM.
2

3. (v) Depillaring with cable bolting using LHD at Madhusudanpur
Colliery - ECL
CONTROL OF MINE FIRES & SUBSIDENCE
JHARIA COALFIELD
In the Jharia coalfield, at the time of nationalisation of coking coalmines
in 1972, there were reportedly, 70 active fires over an area of 17 sq.kms.
A number of schemes for control of fires envisaging an outlay of Rs.
114.57 crores, are under various stages of implementation. So far the
following results have been obtained.
1. No. of fires completely Ten. The remaining
liquidated 60 fires are by and
large under control.
2. Fires affect reduction 40%.
of surface.
Presently 9 sq. km is
affected by fire (as
per study carried out
by international
consultants) out of
17.32 sq. km, as per
1986 estimate
3. Blanketing done Over 22 million m3
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4. 4. Nitrogen flushing done Over 3.0 million m3
5. Sand stowing done Over 50 million m3
6 Fire belts reclaimed Joga, Kustore, Ena,
and converted into Pootkee, sendra
Green Belts. Bansjora Lodna etc.
Under IDA credit to the Govt. of India, BCCL received a loan of US $
12.00 million for developing a long-term plan for carrying out
investigation and preparation of recommendation of measures for
extinguishing controlling fires and preparation of Environmental
management Plan (EMP) for Jharia Coalfield. M/s GAI-METCHEM, a
joint venture of USA/ Canada was appointed for preparing the ‘FIRE
FIGHTING PROGRAMME’ and M/S NORWEST MINE SERVICES
of Canada for preparation of the EMP; The major observations/findings
are given below.
A. FIRE FIGHTING PROGRAMME
1. Overall fire shave reduced in area from about 17 sq. km (186) to 9.0
sq.km. (196)
2. Dhanbad-Patherdih Railway Line (28.km) is endangered by fires and
requires grout stabilisation relocation preferred.
3. Adra-Gomoh Railway Line requires protection by isolation trench and
water curtain.
4. Ekra, Kari and Catkari jores are endangered by fires and require
immediate grout stabilisation.
4

5. 5. Jharia and Kirkend towns and other built up areas are endangered due
to fires and require immediate isolation from fires. Shifting of townships
have been recommended as a better option.
6. Some fires may be excavated as part of profitable opencast mining
projects such as Block-III, Kusunda Block-IV and Tisra.
B. PREPARATION OF EMP FOR JHARIA COALFIELD.
1. 22,300 families are required to be shifted.
2. Predominant air pollution is from road generated dust and vehicle
exhaust.
3. Contribution of dust by traffic is about 37% of total pollution load in
JCF.
4. The coalfield contributes about 15% of the total pollution load in the
Damodar River.
5. Construction Of small reservoirs to the North of the coalfields across
the streams is recommended.
6. Continue the existing plantation programme and encourage social
forestry.
SUBSIDENCE PROBLEM IN RANIGUNJ
In the past, prior to nationalisation of coalmines, unscientific mining was
carried out under shallow cover, which has resulted in some areas in
Ranijunj Coalfield being threatened with subsidence. Illegal mining is
aggravating this problem.
An apex monitoring committee (AMC) had been constituted with Shri
H.B. Ghosh, Ex-DGMS & Retired CMD, CMPDIL as Chairman and
representatives of Govt. of West Bengal, DGMS, CMPDIL, ECL, CMRI
local representatives etc. to go into the problem of subsidence in the
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6. Ranigunj Coalfield AMC has examined 49 unstable localities initially, in
June’92 of which 11 were found to have no apparent danger 21 more
localities were examined by AMC later in Sept’95 of which one has no
apparent danger.
In addition to the areas examined by the APEX MONITORING
COMMITTEE, ECL and CMPDIL have identified 2 more unstable
areas. Thus identified unstable areas total to 72. Out of this the
population of one site has been rehabilitated. Out of the remaining 71
areas, 47 are to be rehabilitated and 24 being densely populated have to
be stabilised.
However, out of these 71 areas, 12 have no apparent danger. Recently
DGMS has indicated 171 unstable localities, which are being examined
in detail by Technical Sub-committee of AMC. The absence of any
proven technology for stabilisation of old inaccessible waterlogged
working indigenous technology of hydro-pneumatic stowing has been
adopted for stabilisation of 5 sites viz. FATEPUR, BORACHAK,
HARIPUR, ARUN TALKIES and KUMAR BAZAR.
HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE
A High Level Committee was constituted with Secretary Coal as
Chairman to go into the problem of subsidence & fire in Ranigunj and
Jharia Coalfield and suggest mitigative measures. The Committee
submitted its report in January’98. The recommendations of the
Committee were accepted by the Govt. of India and are summarised
below
(i) Shifting of settlements over unstable areas to non-coal-bearing zones
(ii) There should be a total ban on any new construction over declared
unsafe areas. Govt. of Bihar should also enact a suitable legislation in
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7. line with the one already existing in West Bengal preventing
construction over unsafe areas.
(iii) Participation and assistance from State Govt. and local
administration is essential. Any enforcing agency entrusted with
responsibilities of carrying out mitigating measures against fire and
subsidence in RCF and FCF should be adequately represented by the
above authorities.
(iv) The mitigating measures against subsidence and fire hazards are
very costly options and fruitful implementation can only be possible
through separate executing agency with separate funding. Formation and
representatives of such agencies responsible for formulating schemes,
their implementation and management of funds should be finalised at the
earliest. A broad outline of executing agencies has been evolved in
consultation with the concerned State Govt. and the Govt. companies.
(v) Hydro-pneumatic stowing technology currently begin used in some
locations in RCF has been found to be a very slow process. High-
pressure slurry pumping technology should be tried at some locations in
BCCL for stabilising inaccessible unstable underground workings.
(vi) Intensive Stabilisation work of unstable areas under locations where
population cannot be shifted like Ranigunj town, should be carried out
and persons affected in the high rest but low-density areas may be
relocated in a phased manner.
(vii) For arranging fund for the purpose of stabilisation and relocation of
population the money could be made available either through planned
expenditure approved by the planning Commission or unplanned
expenditure from CCDA fund after making suitable enactment.
(viii) Considering the urgency one scheme each by ECL and BCCL for
shifting of population from unsafe areas may be taken up without
waiting for institutional arrangement for funds from planned funds
available with Ministry of Coal.
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8. (ix) The Interim Reports submitted by BCCL and ECL jointly with State
authorities indicating the likely affected population and financial
implications should be kept in mind while drawing up priority-wise
schemes from immediate and effective solutions.
IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE
HIGH LEVEL COMMITTEE
1. BCCL has put a total ban on construction of new quarter of on unsafe
areas. BCCL is not constructing any houses over coal bearing areas.
2. Mining Area Development Authority (MADA) has also issued
notification banning any new construction over critically endangered
areas in BCCL.
3. Enactment of suitable legislation banning construction over unsafe
areas is still awaited from Govt. of Bihar.
4. The District Administration has appealed through local newspaper
giving details of the endangered areas of or immediate evacuation,
particularly from areas under illegal occupation.
5. Govt. of Bihar has been requested to constitute a Sub-authority for
rehabilitation of non-BCCL people from endangered areas. This has not
been done so far.
6. BCCL has, as a one-time measure of goodwill, identified a
rehabilitation city to be handed over to the State Govt. for construction
of 3100 houses for non-BCCL people.
7. One R&D project has been started to establish the technology of high
pressure stowing at Madhuban Colliery, meanwhile, filling of
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9. inaccessible voids is being done presently by hydraulic sand stowing
through surface bore-holes in many locations in BCCL.
EMSC SCHEMES
The schemes under implementation are as under;
Subsidence Control
Scheme Status
1. Schemes for stabilisation Completed on
below Kari Jore at Kusunda- schedule in June,’99
Industry boundary
2. Stabilisation below Jharia Completed ahead of
water Board Tank at E. schedule in Nov’99
Bhuggatdih Colliery
3. Stabilisation below Kusunda Under
Railway year Implementation
4. Stabilisation below Chatkari Under
Jore at Joyrampur Colliery Implementation
5. Stabilisation of Bata Morc of CMRI has done a
Jharia Town detailed study of the
unstable area of
jharia town, funded
by BCCL at a cost
of Rs. 3. lakhs.
CMRI has been
awarded the work of
stabilisation of Bata
More by BCCL on
9

10. turn-key basis at a
further cost of Rs.
30 Lakhs,. About
80% of the job has
been completed.
Fire Control
The following fire control schemes are under implementation:
1. Scheme for dealing with fire at Lodna Colliery.
2. Scheme for dealing with fire at Rajapur Colliery.
3. Scheme for dealing with fire at Industry Colliery.
4. Scheme for dealing with fire at Alkusa Colliery Colliery.
Rehabilitaiton
A scheme for rehabilitation of people from most endangered areas of
BCCL has been approved in May’98 at a sanctioned cost of Rs. 33.88
Crores (under revision) for construction of 1500 BCCL houses and 3100
non-BCCL houses. Around 350 house are in different stages of
construction.
COAL UTILISATION
14 The following major jobs on coal utilisation have been undertaken :
1. A report on investigation on explosion in ESP of Boiler No.2 of NLC
has been prepared and submitted to Neyveli Lignite Corporation.
10

11. 2. Project Reports on 100 tpd SSF plants for seven proposed units under
private sector have been prepared and submitted to the parties.
3. Design package for SSF plant has been modified and prepared for
release of know- how.
4. Licence Agreement between three SSF units & CMPDI has been
signed and technical know-how released to them.
5. Joint Inspection of softcoke/ hardcoke manufacturing units (54 in
number), linked with subsidiary companies of CIL, have been carried
out with CIL & linked companies.
6. Pre-commissioning, guarantee test-run and capacity assessment of
Muraidih SSF plant of BCCL have been undertaken with BCCL.
7. Joint Inspection of 3 SSF plants under private sector has been carried
out with linked company CCL.
8. Commissioning of two 100 tpd SSF plants under private sector has
been completed successfully.
S&T Project
15 The R&D activities in coal sector are administered through an Apex
body namely, Standing Scientific Research Committee (SSRC) with
Secretary (Coal) as its Chairman. The Other members of this apex body
include Chairman of CIL, CMDs of CMPDIL, SCCL and NLC,
Directors of concerned CSIR Laboratories, representatives of
Department of S&T, Planning Commission and educational institutions,
amongst others. The main functions of SSRC are to plan, programme,
budget and oversee the implementation of research projects and seek
11

12. application of the findings of the R&D work done. For in house R&D
work of CIL, R&D Board headed by Chairman, CIL is also functioning.
The SSRC is being assisted by four Standing Sub-Committees, each
dealing with one of the four relevant major areas of research:-
- Production, Productivity & Safety
- Coal Beneficiation
- Coal Utilisation
- Environment& Ecology
CMPDI acts as Nodal Agency for co-ordination of research activities in
coal sector, which involves identification of thrust areas for research
activities, identification of agencies, which can take up the research
work in the identified fields, processing the proposals for Government
approval, monitoring the progress of implementation of the projects,
preparation of budget estimates, disbursement of funds etc.
16 The list of completed S&T Projects as on 30.12.99 is given below:
1. Development of technology for conversion of backfilled
areas in Ballarpur opencast for Agriculture -WCL & IISc
2. Development of technology for production of additives
based on coal tar products for coal water slurry fuel -
CFRI
3. Utilisation of syn-gas from coal synthesis of higher
olefins through oligomerisation of olefins from Syn-gas -
CFRI
4. Subsidence studies for development of models with
special reference to multi seam mining in India - CMRI
5. Industrial application of vorsyl separator in BCCL/CCL
coal washeries - RRL, Bhopal.
12

13. 6. Development of viable techno-economic know-how for
beneficiation of non-coking coal for power generation -
CFRI
7. Introduction of automation system in the coal preparation
plant at Sawang Washery - CMPDI
8 In seam seismic survey – CMPDI
9 Development of mechanised spraying system for spraying
fire protective coating material for industrial application
in the coal benches of large opencast projects – CMRI.
10 Ecological & aerobiological studies of coal mine area –
Vinoba Bhave University.
11 Biological method of employing VAM fungi and nitrogen
fixing bacteria – NLC/Madras University
12 Handi method of coal categorisation and prediction of
spontaneous heating risks in mine – CMRI/ISM/CFRI
.
17 Status of Coal S&T Projects as on 31.12.99 is given below:
i) Projects on-going - 36
(as on 1.4.99)
ii) Projects approved during - 19
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14. 1999-2000
iii) Projects completed - 12
during 1999-2000
iv) Projects dropped - 02
during 1999-2000
v) Projects on-going - 41
( as on 31.12.99)
18 Project funded by CIL R&D Board:
i) The Standing Parliamentary Committee on Energy and modernisation
and Growth for the Coal Industry pointed out the need for a full-fledged
R&D Board in CIL for modernisation and growth of the coal industry.
ii) As an outcome of the above, the R&D Board was constituted by CIL
in August, 1995.
iii) The Chairman, CIL is the Chairman of the R&D Board and all
CMDs of the Subsidiary Companies and the Director(Tech.) of
Subsidiary Companies are also its members by rotation for a period of
one year. CGM (CP), CIL is the Member Secretary of the Board.
iv) An Empowered Sub-Committee has been constituted to assist R&D
Board to plan, programme, budget, monitor and seek application of
research findings.
19 Status as on 31.12.99 of R&D Projects, sanctioned by R&D Board of
CIL, is given below:
14

15. i) Projects on-going (as on 1.4.99) - 08
ii) Projects approved during 1999-00 - 05
iii) Projects completed during 1999-00 - Nil
iv) On-going projects as on 31.12.99 - 12
v) Projects dropped during 1999-2000 - 01
20 The list of 12 on-going R&D projects is given below:
1. High capacity sand flushing through boreholes at
Madhuband Colliery, BCCL. - CMPDI/BCCL.
2. Resource survey characterisation and blending studies of
Low-Volatile coking coal for their use in steel industry. -
CMPDI
3. Restoration of Biodiversity on OB dumps & back filled
areas using integrated Biotechnological approach. – WCL.
4. Optimisation of ambient air quality monitoring networks
and application of mathematical models of air pollution
control in N. Karanpura Coalfield under CCL. -
CMPDI/BIT MESRA.
5. Depillaring by caving with yield pillar technique at
Parascole Colliery. - ECL.
15

16. 6. Depillaring with cable bolting using LHD at
Madhusudanpur Colliery - ECL
7. Utilisation of over-burden material through modification
of physico-mechanical properties for construction of haul
road. - BIT/CMPDI.
8. Development of computerised continuous mining
equipment condition monitoring system for maximum
machine available time of working machines in mine -
SECL/CMRI.
9. Application of chemical treatment and centrifugation in
environment - friendly disposal of coal washery tailing. -
CMPDI/CCL
10. Strata control, roof support design for development and
depillaring operations at Tandsi Project, Kanhan Area,
WCL with detailed geo-technical study including
measurement of in-situ stress and its effect. -
WCL/CMPDI
11. Determination of efficacy of soil segment etc. for
prevention of spontaneous heating in coal stock pile of
Samleshwari OCP, MCL. - MCL.
12. Geo-mining statistical database of South Karanpura
Coalfields - CCL.
21 Schemes under the head "Environmental Measures &
Subsidence Control"
(i) The thrust areas of Environmental Measures & Subsidence Control
are restoration and control of degraded land due to mining and control of
subsidence, particularly in Jharia and Raniganj coalfields. A third sub-
head titled "Social Mitigation" has been added and 2 schemes under this
sub-head have been sanctioned.
16

17. (ii) A provision of Rs.79 Crores has been kept for IX Plan outlay for
EMSC Schemes. Schemes have been sanctioned under different Sub-
heads as detailed in Table-A and are being implemented
(iii) Completed Schemes :
(a) Out of the 26 schemes, 4 schemes concerning identification of
Subsidence Prone areas and remedial measures for their safeguards have
been completed during 98-99.
Table-A
Sub Head No. of Approved Disbursement Remarks
Schemes Cost upto 99-00
(a) 8 27.33 13.12 4
Environmental Schemes
completed
Measures
(b) 16 24.34 11.58 till 98-99
Subsidence
Control
(c) Social 2 66.40 2.00
Mitigation
TOTAL 26 118.07 26.70
(b) Based on the completion of these four Schemes, Master Plans for
rehabilitation and control of fire and subsidence for ECL & BCCL
command areas for the Raniganj and Jharia coalfields have been
prepared. These Master Plans cover the aspects of controlling the coal
17

18. mine fires and stabilising subsidence prone areas in the coalfields.
Where the subsidence cannot be controlled by technical measures, the
rehabilitation of the inhabitants overlying such unsafe areas has been
covered . The report prioritises the locations to be taken up for
implementation of the three activities i.e. subsidence control, fire control
and rehabilitation. The prioritisation is based on degree of danger
assessed for different locations.
(c) A Scheme for stabilisation of developed workings in XIII seam
below Kari Jore at Kusunda-Industry colliery boundary in BCCL, has
been completed by sand filling into the voids through boreholes and
cement grouting under pressure for consolidation of strata at a cost of
Rs.4.40 lakhs.
(d) Scheme for subsidence control by stabilisation below Jharia Water
Board Tank at East Bhagatdih Colliery of BCCL has also been
completed at a capital outlay of Rs.68 Lakhs.
The completion report for the above two schemes are under preparation.
(iv) On-going Schemes :
(a) For reclamation of abandoned coal mines in ECL, 511 ha. degraded
areas of OB dumps and opencast voids have been completed during the
year by Social Forestry Division of Govt. of West Bengal and Bihar.
Action for bio-reclamation of balance 380 Ha. is in progress. Similarly
out of 728 Ha. of degraded land to be reclaimed in CCL, about 500 Ha.
have been taken up for bio-reclamation. Further areas will be taken up in
the year 2000-01.
(b) Procurement of most of P&M for implementation of 4 Nos. of Fire
and Subsidence Schemes have been completed in BCCL and work has
been started to deal with coal mines fires at Lodna, Rajapur , Alkusa and
Industry collieries of BCCL.
18

19. (c) Similarly, procurement of P&M for implementation of hydro-
pneumatic stabilisation at five new localities in ECL (Palasban, Gwala
basti, Porar bandh, Pottary and Bhut Doba) have been completed for
taking the job departmentally.
Hydro-pneumatic stabilisation beneath Fatehpur, Borachak and Haripur
villages are in process.
(d) Social Mitigation projects : Two Social Mitigation projects , one
each for BCCL and ECL command area has been sanctioned for
rehabilitating the people living in the endangered areas. The details of
the two Schemes are as under :
Sl.No. Name of the Scheme Sanction Capital Sanction letter
( Rs. in crore)
1. Shifting of people from 33.88 34012/28/97-
most endangered areas CRC dt.19.5.98
of BCCL
2. Rehabilitation of four 32.52 34012/29/97-
unstable locations in ECL CRC dt. 19.5.98
While sanctioning these schemes, the EFC allowed release of only Rs.
one crore for each of the schemes for initial work. Further release of
funds was to be made after recommendations of a committee constituted
by Deptt. of Coal to review the physical progress of implementation of
these two rehabilitation schemes . The committee, constituted by DOC
in Sept'99, has submitted the report in Nov'99.
The status of the implementation of above two schemes, being
implemented in BCCL and ECL, is given as under: -
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20. 1. Progress in BCCL:
(I) Present Status:
(a) BCCL has initiated action for construction of 1500 houses at 6
locations on the non-coal bearing land viz. at Bhimkanali, near Katras
Coal Dump, Bhuli, Nichitpur, East Bassuriya and Amtaal. The work
order was awarded in Sept'98. Subsequently, five more work orders have
been issued for construction of additional houses.
(b) 32 Nos. of quarters have been completed at Bhimkanali, 48 units are
nearing completion near Katras Coal Dump and 156 quarters are in mid-
stage of construction.
(c) The process of shifting people from the endangered areas has been
started and the first lot of 9 Nos. of old houses in the endangered
locations of Block-II OCP and 5 nos. at Phularitand have been
demolished completely and 13 families have actually shifted in newly
constructed houses at Bhimkanali. Shifting activities for the remaining
families are in progress.
(II) Constitution of Sub-Authority by Govt. of Bihar
Govt. of Bihar has not constituted the Sub-Authority, so far as per the
recommendations of the High Level Committee. A Committee was,
however, constituted under the Chairmanship of Commissioner, North
Chhotanagpur, Hazaribagh including Dy.Commissioner, Dhanbad and
CMD, BCCL as members. The committee had deliberated on the issue
of rehabilitation of non BCCL people during a meeting held on
05.09.98. BCCL has offered land for construction of 3100 houses, as a
one time measure for rehabilitation of non-BCCL persons.
In order to expedite construction of 3100 houses by the Govt. of Bihar, a
Sub-authority was required to be set up immediately by the State Govt.
In this regard, several reminders have been sent since June'98 to the
20

21. Govt. of Bihar. Letters have been sent to Secretary, Mines & Geology,
Govt. of Bihar on 22.06.98, 21.07.98 and 25.09.98 for constitution of the
Sub-Authority. This matter was also discussed by CMD, BCCL with the
Secretary and Commissioner, Mines & Geology, Govt. of Bihar on
14.10.98.
Inspite of the actions initiated by the BCCL, the Govt. of Bihar has not
so far constituted the Sub-Authority.
(III) Expenditure Incurred or Provision of Funds:
An amount of Rs.1.0 crore released by the Govt. of India in 98-99 has
been spent by the BCCL for the construction work of 1500 houses.
Release of additional funds is in process.
2. Progress in ECL:
(I) Present Status:
Various steps have been taken for implementation in association with
the State Govt. officials for the purpose of finalising the agreement with
the local villagers for shifting of 4 identified unstable areas. The present
status is as follows :-
Sl.N Name of Constituti Completi Identificati Agreement Agreem
o. unstable on of on of on of land with ent with
localities Village socio- for Village Village
Committe economi rehabilitati Committee committ
e c Survey ion on ee
proposed regardin
compensat g
ion identifie
package d land.
1 Shudamdih Yes Yes Yes No. No.
21

22. Ph-1
2 Refugee Yes Yes Yes No. No.
Bastee(Ban
gal Para)
3 Kenda Yes Yes Yes No. No.
Village
4 Harishpur No. No. No. No. No.
Village
Addl. Secretary, Ministry of Coal, wrote to Chief Secretary, West
Bengal, who instructed District Magistrate and other officials to expedite
the implementation of these Schemes. Inspite of follow-up by ECL, no
progress has been made.
On 14.07.99, Director of Industries, Govt. of West Bengal, had
convened a meeting in the office of ADM, Asansol to discuss the present
status of the progress made so far in this regard. All the required details
have been submitted to DM, Asansol in the month of July'99 itself, but
no further discussion or progress could be made.
(II) Initiative and Co-operation from State Govt.
A stronger initiative on the part of the representative of the State
Government is necessary to persuade the affected villagers to come to an
agreement regarding location of rehabilitation sites and compensation
packages.
(III) Capital Expenditure incurred and Provision of Funds:
22

23. No expenditure could be incurred under this scheme till date since the
sites for rehabilitation are not finalised and the compensation package
for the Project Affected People has not been jointly agreed upon.
23 During 1999-00 no new EMSC scheme has been approved by the
competent authority (upto December, 1999).
24 Status of EMSC Schemes as on 31.12.99 is given below :-
(i) On-going schemes - 22
(as on 1.4.99)
(ii) Schemes approved - NIL
during 1999-00
(iii) Schemes completed - 2
during 1999-00
(iv) Scheme dropped - NIL
during 1999-00
(v) On-going project - 20
as on 31.12.99
Schemes completed
till 31.12.99
( Since inception ) - 6
23

24. CONTROL OF MINE FIRES & SUBSIDENCE
JHARIA COALFIELD
In the Jharia coalfield, at the time of nationalisation of coking coal mines
in 1972, there were reportedly, 70 active fires over an area of 17 sq.kms.
A number of schemes for control of fires envisaging an outlay of Rs.
114.57 crores, are under various stages of implementation. So far the
following results have been obtained.
Under IDA credit tot he Govt. of India, BCCL received a loan of US $
12.00 million for developing a long-term plan for carrying out
investigation and preparation of recommendation of measures for
extinguishing controlling fires and preparation of Environmental
management Plan (EMP) for Jharia Coalfield. M/s GAI-METCHEM, a
joint venture of USA/ Canada was appointed for preparing the ‘FIRE
FIGHTING PROGRAMME’ and M/S NORWEST MINE SERVICES
of Canada for preparation of the EMP.
1. No. of fires completely Ten. The remaining
liquidated 60 fires are by and
large under control.
2. Reduction of surface 40%.
are affected by fires.
Presently 9 sq. km is
affected by fire (as
per study carried out
by international
consultants) out of
17.32 sq. km, as per
1986 estimate
3. Blanketing done Over 22 million m3
24

25. 4. Nitorgen flushing done Over 3.0 million m3
5. Sand stowing done Over 50 million m3
6 Fire belts reclaimed Joga, Kustore, Ena,
and converted into Pootkee, sendra
Green Belts. Bansjora Lodna etc.
*****
For a Comprehensive introduction to Coal, kindly refer to:
WORLD COAL INSTITUTE
WORLD COAL INS TITUTEWORLD COAL
INSTITUTE
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