Shillong, Jan 15: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma on Wednesday addressed queries related to the progress of scientific coal mining in the state, responding to allegations of delay.
“The public hearing for scientific coal mining in three locations took place about two months ago. Following that, the file was sent to the Forest and Pollution Control Board. Necessary clearances have been granted by the Forest and Environment Department and the Pollution Board. Now, the files have reached Delhi, where the Coal Ministry is reviewing them for the final approval,” the chief minister informed.
“This approval process involves scrutinizing all permissions and clearances from both central and state government departments. The final permission to open the mines will come from the Coal Ministry,” the chief minister added.
Highlighting on the complexity, he said, “It has been a very complex and difficult journey. We had to overcome challenges at multiple levels, including legal battles with the NGT and Supreme Court. We succeeded in lifting the ban, but the unique land laws in Meghalaya required specific provisions from the Government of India, adding another layer of difficulty”.
“The coal deposits in Meghalaya are different from other regions, requiring specialized technology. Unlike other locations with large seams, Meghalaya’s coal deposits vary in size and structure, making conventional methods unsuitable,” the chief minister remarked.
Responding to public concerns, the chief minister said, “It is easy to criticize from the outside, but the process is far from straightforward. We had to engage with multiple agencies, including the Government of India, NGT, Coal India, and others. Now, all state-level processes are complete, and we await the Coal Ministry’s final approval. This is the last step before the mines can be opened.”
Talking on the recommendations of the Katakey Committee for closing abandoned coal mines, the chief minister said, “The state has established the Meghalaya Reclamation Fund, funded through fees collected from miners. This fund, amounting to nearly ₹500 crore, is dedicated to mine closure, land reclamation, restoring degraded areas, conserving water bodies, and afforestation.
We have engaged the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL) to implement these projects. Pilot projects have already begun in three or four locations. These include technical studies, mapping, and proper planning. The progress is at different stages, and we expect to see tangible results in the coming months. After that, the scheme will be expanded across the state.”
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