Lok Sabha Question No. 4814 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-03-30
Subject: Pollution due to Coal Production
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: C.S. PUTTARAJU

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4814 TO BE ANSWERED ON 30.03.2017

## Pollution due to Coal Production

## 4814.   SHRI C.S. PUTTA RAJU:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the hazard of extremely high level of dust and water pollution created because of coal production in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the details of usage of water for coal production during the last three years, State and coal mine-wise;
- (c) the  status  of  modernization  plans  for  equipments  used  in  coal  production  and transportation with regard to treatment of generated dust and recycling of water; and
- (d) the details of pollution generated along with its reasons and the steps taken to monitor and prevent the same?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): Coal  mining  activities  have  some  impact  on  environment  around  the  local  mining areas due to dust and water pollution. Before commencement of production from coal mines, the impact on environment due to coal mining project is assessed by an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study for each project and based on the same, Environmental Management Plans (EMP) are prepared alongwith the proposed pollution mitigation plan.

(b): No study has been conducted regarding usage of water for coal production.  However, as  per  the  study  regarding  mine  water  utilisation  conducted  recently,  the  subsidiary-wise details of mine water utilisation are furnished in the Table below.

(All unit in: Lakh Cum/year)

| Subsidiary of Coal India Limited   | Quantity of average mine discharge   | Total Quantity for own use (Industrial + Domestic)   | Community Use   | Total usage of Quantity   | Percentage use of mine water   |
|------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------|-----------------|---------------------------|--------------------------------|
| A                                  | B                                    | C                                                    | D               | E=C+D                     | F=E/B*100                      |
| ECL                                | 529                                  | 304                                                  | 127             | 431                       | 81                             |
| BCCL                               | 1199                                 | 389                                                  | 278             | 667                       | 56                             |
| CCL                                | 353                                  | 215                                                  | 74              | 289                       | 82                             |
| NCL                                | 169                                  | 169                                                  | 0               | 169                       | 100                            |
| WCL                                | 1399                                 | 445                                                  | 308             | 753                       | 54                             |
| SECL                               | 840                                  | 436                                                  | 128             | 563                       | 67                             |
| MCL                                | 954                                  | 206                                                  | 748             | 954                       | 100                            |
| Total CIL                          | 5443                                 | 2164                                                 | 1663            | 3827                      | 70                             |

- (c): Modern eco-friendly technologies are adopted by  coal  companies  for production  of coal from the coal mines to meet current and future pollution control measures.

Coal  India  and  its  subsidiary  companies  have  deployed  superior  mining  machinery and use various measures to ensure that the quality of air remains within permissible limits and minimum impact on air pollution.

Coal India and its subsidiary companies are now deploying surface miners and state of the art mining equipment having higher capacity & productivity in its open cast operations. This eliminates drilling, blasting and crushing of coal for extraction of coal.

- (d): Details of pollution generated and the steps taken to monitor and prevent:

## Air pollution control:

Air pollution is controlled by regular spraying of water on haul & coal transportation roads by fixed as well as portable water sprinklers, Coal Handling Plants, all coal transfer points, coal & overburden (OB) faces, coal stockpiles etc. Other steps include fitting drills with dust collection systems / wet drilling, black topping / concreting of coal transportation roads etc. Efforts have been made for use of more belt conveyors, rail etc. for coal transportation and to rationalize road transportation to reduce pollution, as per feasibility. Massive tree plantation in and around mines also reduces the impact of air pollution on neighboring areas.

## Water pollution control:

Mine  water  is  passed  through  sedimentation  pond  wherefrom,  after  sedimentation,  clean runoff  water  is  taken  out  for  beneficial  use  such  as  domestic,  industrial  and  agricultural purpose, after treatment to the extent possible. Effluents from workshops is passed through Oil  and  Grease  Traps  and  recycled/reused  for  dust  suppression  and  for  cleaning  purposes. Domestic effluents are being treated in Domestic Effluent Treatment Plants.

## Noise pollution control:

Noise pollution is controlled through the careful selection of equipment, proper maintenance and  insulation.  Persons  exposed  to  high  noise  level  are  being  provided  with  ear  muffles. Besides, tree plantation between work places and residential areas is also being adopted as a natural barrier for reduction of sound pollution.

## Ecological damage control:

This is controlled by plantation on physically and biologically reclaimed mined out areas and on  the  OB  dump  areas,  plantation  in  and  around  mines,  road  sides,  township  /  residential areas, available vacant spaces and implementation of conservation plan for protection of flora and fauna as per EC. This is apart from the payment made for compensatory afforestation to Forest departments.

In  addition  the  environmental  protection  measures  are  taken  in  compliance  of  approved environmental clearance conditions and also the conditions laid by  respective State Pollution Control Boards while according consent to operate. Regular monitoring of various environmental attributes are carried out as per Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 to assess the efficacy of environmental protection measures taken and if required additional measures are  taken  to  keep  the  various  environmental  attributes  within  the  prescribed  limits  of  the Regulatory Agencies.