Lok Sabha Question No. 222 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Fire Accidents in Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Sunil Dattatray Tatkare, Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Gajanan Chandrakant Kirtikar, Supriya Sadanand Sule, Dhanush M Kumar, DNV Senthilkumar. S., C.N. Annadurai, Gautham Sigamani Pon

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 222

## TO BE ANSWERED ON  2-2-2022

## Fire Accidents in Coal Mines

## 222. SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRI DHANUSH M. KUMAR:

SHRI GAUTHAM SIGAMANI PON:

SHRI C.N. ANNADURAI:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

SHRI GAJANAN KIRTIKAR:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR. S.:

SHRI SUNIL DATTATRAY TATKARE:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)       the  number  of  fire  accidents  occurred  in  various  coal  mines  in  the  country particularly Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu along with the loss of life and property caused during each of the last five years, company and State-wise;
- (b)     the reasons for repeated fire accidents in the coal mines;
- (c)     whether the Government has considered any investigation in this regard and if so, the  details  thereof  along  with  the  action  taken  by  the  Government  against  the  guilty persons, company-wise till date;
- (d)      the funds allocated and spent for ensuring the safety and security of workers in these coal mines during the said period, company-wise along with the funds released to compensate the victims of accidents during the last three years, company-wise;
- (e)     the steps taken by the Government to check the recurrence of such accidents in future; and
- (f)        the  other  steps taken by the Government for improvement in the fire-resistance system of coal mines and factories particularly Maharashtra State?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER  OF  PARLIAMENTARY  AFFAIRS,  COAL  AND  MINES (SHRI  PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a), (b) & (c)    Details of fire accidents occurred in various coal mines in the country during last 5 years, reasons thereof and investigation thereon is placed at Annexure.
- (d) Adequate  funds  are  allocated  and  spent  as  per  requirement  for  ensuring  and  improving safety  in  all  mines  of  coal  companies  under  Ministry  of  Coal  including  those  mines  where

spontaneous heating were detected in the last five years. Details of funds spent in various coal companies for the last five years are given as under-

## [ Amount in Crore Rupees]

| Subs.   |   Year 2018-19 |   Year 2019-20 |   Year 2020-21 |
|---------|----------------|----------------|----------------|
| ECL     |        139     |        165     |         113    |
| BCCL    |         92     |        104     |         119    |
| CCL     |          9     |         22     |          13    |
| NCL     |         71     |         75     |          83    |
| WCL     |         59     |         87     |          85    |
| SECL    |        176     |        217     |         204    |
| MCL     |         53     |         53     |          59    |
| CIL     |        599     |        723     |         676    |
| NLCIL   |          8.42  |         13.49  |          23.66 |
| SCCL    |          0.572 |          0.487 |           2    |

Compensation paid as per the Employees Compensation Act-1923 (Principal Act upto amended as on date) to the next of kin of the deceased who died due to fire accidents / incidents in last five years are given as under-

| Subs.   | Accident / incident date   | Mine          | Deceased Name   | Amount of compensation paid   |
|---------|----------------------------|---------------|-----------------|-------------------------------|
| NCL     | 05.05.2018                 | Dudhichua OCP | Late L MGupta   | Rs 4,98,800                   |
| NCL     | 30.01.2019                 | Nigahi OCP    | Late S K Shah   | Rs 8,52,160                   |
| SECL    | 04.05.2017                 | Chirimiri OC  | Late Roshanlal  | Rs 7,02,000                   |
| SECL    | 13.02.2020                 | Jampali OCP   | Late R Kushwaha | Rs 16,49,625                  |

## (e):  Following steps have been taken by coal companies for prevention of recurrence of such incidents:

1. Construction of preparatory stoppings.
2. Sectionalisation of old workings.
3. Repairs of Ventilation Stoppings.
4. Filling and levelling of surface Cracks and subsidence.
5. Removal of fallen coal from below ground.
6. Sampling of mine air with Gas Chromatograph.
7. Stone dusting.
8. Mock drill and safety sensitization drive conducted on fire hazard in coal mines.
9. Safe Operating Procedure and Safety Management Plan revised considering fire hazard.Daily inspections of the Mine workings are being carried out by the Mine Manager,  Safety  Officer,  Asst.  Managers,  Engineers  and  other  officials  of  the Mine.
10. Regular inspections of mines by the workmen inspectors and mine officials
11. Fire  Service  week  is  conducted  once  in  a  year  to  promote  safety  awareness among the workers

(f): Following steps are being taken by coal companies to further improve fire-fighting system of coal mines:

1. Adequate provision of fire-fighting arrangements.
2. Use of Flame proof apparatus in below ground mines.
3. Use of fire resistant hydraulic fluid in SDL/LHD/UDM and conveyor belt in below ground mines.
4. Panel System of working and Coals are mined out of the panels within incubation period.
5. Adequate numbers of isolation stoppings are made.
6. Statutory  provisions  to  deal  with  fire  hazards  as  per  the  relevant  statutes  are followed.
7. Provision  of  Automatic  Fire  Detection  and  Suppression  System  (AFDSS)  in HEMMs.
8. Provisions for Nitrogen Injection fire Protection System in electrical equipment & transformers,  Differential  Relay,  Lighting arrestors,  Surge  arrestors,  zigzag transformers, etc. at electrical sub stations to prevent fires.

***

## Annexure

## Details of fire  accidents  occurred in various coal mines  in the country during last five years, reasons thereof and investigation thereon-

| S. N   | State        | Name of the mine and       | Number of fire accidents in the coal mines   | Number of fire accidents in the coal mines   | Number of fire accidents in the coal mines   | Number of fire accidents in the coal mines   | Number of fire accidents in the coal mines   | Loss of lives   | Loss of property reported   | Reason for the fire accident.                | Action taken                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
|--------|--------------|----------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-----------------|-----------------------------|----------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| o      |              | Company                    | 2016                                         | 2017                                         | 2018                                         | 201 9                                        | 2020                                         | Loss of lives   | Loss of property reported   | Reason for the fire accident.                | Action taken                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| 1      | Chattisga rh | M/s. SECL Jampali OCP      | Nil                                          | Nil                                          | Nil                                          | Nil                                          | 01                                           | 01              | Damage of Excavat or        | Short Circuit                                | Prosecution was launched by DGMS against the delinquents at the Court of Honorable Chief Judicial Magistrate, District & Sessions Court Raigarh Chattisgarh.                                                                        |
| 2      |              | M/s SECL Chirmiri OC Mine, | -                                            | 01                                           | -                                            | -                                            | -                                            | 01              | Nil                         | Due to fire in left out coal rib.            | Mining Sirdar, Overman & Asst. Manager was held responsible for this accident SECL took action against them by issue of warning letter to Asst. Manager, Stopped one increment with cumulative effect of Overman and Mining Sirdar. |
| 3      | Chattisga rh | M/s SECL Churcha Mine      | -                                            | -                                            | 01*                                          | -                                            | -                                            | Nil             | Nil                         | Spontaneous heating of old sealed off panel. | Violation letter issued to SECL for it's compliance. SECL sealed off the area.                                                                                                                                                      |

|   4 |             | M/s SECL NCPH Colliery R-6 Mine      | -   | -   | 01*   | -   | -   | Nil   | Nil   | While gas cutting in the mine.                     | Mining Welder, Colliery Engineer & officiating Manager of the Mine was held responsible for this incident and SECL issued warning letter to Colliery Engineer & Manager of the Mine and stoppage of one increment with cumulative effect of the welder.   |
|-----|-------------|--------------------------------------|-----|-----|-------|-----|-----|-------|-------|----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   5 | West Bengal | M/s ECL Bahula Colliery              | 01* | -   | -     | -   | -   | Nil   | Nil   | Spontaneous heating                                | ECL was directed to sealed off Area by providing another row of isolation stopping and monitor sealed off panels for any leakage of air through the stoppings.                                                                                            |
|   6 |             | M/s ECL Sonepur Bazari Opencast Mine | -   | 01* | -     | -   | -   | -     | -     | Bursting of Engine Block causing Fire on Excavator | SECL and Manufacturer were advised to take corrective actions.                                                                                                                                                                                            |
|   7 |             | M/s ECL Parascole West Colliery      | -   | -   | 01*   | -   | -   | Nil   | Nil   | Spontaneous heating.                               | ECL sealed off the area.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |
|   8 |             | M/s ECL Kunustoria Colliery          | -   | -   | -     | -   | 01* | Nil   | Nil   | Whil Spontaneous heating                           | ECL sealed the area in Kenda Top and Bottom sections.                                                                                                                                                                                                     |

| 9           |                | M/s ECL Parascole West Colliery                 | -   | -   | -   | -    | 01*   | Nil   | Nil                       | Spontaneous heating'.                                             | ECL sealed the area in Jambad Top and Bottom sections and started monitoring the same on daily basis.   |
|-------------|----------------|-------------------------------------------------|-----|-----|-----|------|-------|-------|---------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 10          | Tamil Nadu     | M/s NLC Lignite Mines-I, IA and II              | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil  | Nil   | NA    | NA                        | NA                                                                | NA                                                                                                      |
| 11 12 13 14 | Jharkhan d     | M/s BCCL Muraidih Colliery                      | Nil | Nil | Nil | 01 * | Nil   | 0     | --                        | Hydraulic excavator (HEMM) Fire.                                  | Warning letter issued to all the delinquents.                                                           |
| 11 12 13 14 | Jharkhan d     | M/s BCCL Basantimal a Dahibadi Colliery         | Nil | Nil | Nil | 01 * | Nil   | 0     | --                        | Hydraulic (HEMM) Fire.                                            | Warning letter issued.                                                                                  |
| 11 12 13 14 | Jharkhan d     | M/s BCCL Amalgamat ed Dhansar Industry Colliery | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil  | 01    | 01    | --                        | Pot holing due to fire in underground galleries of Opencast mine. | 1. Warning letter issued to Manager. 2) Warning letter issued to Agent.                                 |
| 11 12 13 14 | Jharkhan d     | M/s. CCL Churi Colliery,                        | Nil | Nil | Nil | Nil  | 01*   | Nil   | Loss of 1,30,550 ton Coal | Spontaneous Heating                                               | Show cause issued and Notice imposed.                                                                   |
| 15          | Madhya Pradesh | M/s WCL Mohan Colliery                          | 01* | -   | -   | -    | -     | Nil   | Nil                       | Spontaneous Heating (DO)                                          | WCL rectified the contraventions observed during enquiry                                                |
| 16          | Madhya Pradesh | M/s WCL Vishnupuri Mine No.II                   | 01* | -   | -   | -    | -     | Nil   | Nil                       | Spontaneous Heating (DO)                                          | WCL rectified the contraventions observed during enquiry                                                |

|   17 | Madhya Pradesh   | M/s NCL Nigahi project                 | --   | --   | --   | 01   | --   | 01   | Nil                                           | Collision of a tipper with other tipper resulting into fire .( HEMM)   | 2019- The deceased, Santosh Kumar Shah, Tipper Operator, M/s DBL - DECO JV., himself was found responsible for the accident                                                                                                                             |
|------|------------------|----------------------------------------|------|------|------|------|------|------|-----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   18 | Maharash tra     | M/s WCL Patansaong i U/G Mine          | -    | -    | -    | 01*  | -    | Nil  | Nil                                           | Spontaneous Heating                                                    | WCL started regular monitoring of presence of CO and inspection of stoppings by a person not below the rank of Overman.                                                                                                                                 |
|   19 | Maharash tra     | M/s WCL Penganga Opencast Mine         | -    | -    | -    | -    | 01*  | NIL  | Damage to major compon ents of the Excavat or | 'Excavator fire HEMM).                                                 | (i) Show Cause letter was issued to Shri Ashish Shukla, Engineer, Penganga Opencast Mine of M/s. WCL by DGMS. And warning was issued. (ii) Show Cause letter was issued to Shri Gajanan Dudure, Mechanical Fitter by DGMS and was suspended for 3 days. |
|   20 | Maharash tra     | M/s WCL Durgapur Rayatwari Colliery of | -    | -    | -    | -    | 01*  | Nil  | Nil                                           | Spontaneous heating and outbreak of fire                               | Departmental action has been taken i.e. warning letter issued to i) Shri Ulhas Bodhe, Agent ii) Shri Shashendra Singh, Sr. Manager (Mines) iii) Shri P V Warade, Colliery Manager iv) Shri Nellore Venugopal Reddy, Ventilation Officer.                |
|   19 | Maharash tra     | M/s Sunflag Iron & steel               | -    | -    | -    | -    | 01*  | Nil  | Nil                                           | Spontaneous heating and outbreak of fire                               | Departmental action has been taken i.e. i) warning letter issued to Shri Arunava Chakraborty, Agent                                                                                                                                                     |

|   21 |            | Company Ltd. Belgaon Undergrou nd Mine                |    |    |    |    |    |    |     |                                 | ii) stoppage of one increment of Shri Sanjay N Matte, Manager and Shri Arvind Kumar, Ventilation Officer                          |
|------|------------|-------------------------------------------------------|----|----|----|----|----|----|-----|---------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|   22 |            | M/s SCCL Kalyani Khani No. 5 Incline Mine             | 1* | 0  | 0  |  0 |  0 |  0 | Nil | Spontaneous heating took place. | Warning issued to Manager, Agent and General Manager of the Mine                                                                  |
|   23 | TELANGA NA | M/s SCCL Ravindra Khani No. 1A Incline Mine           | 0  | 1* | 0  |  0 |  0 |  0 | Nil | Spontaneous heating             | No action taken. No person was held responsible.                                                                                  |
|   24 |            | M/s SCCL Srirampur OC -I & II Integrated Project Mine | 0  | 0  | 1* |  0 |  0 |  0 | Nil | Fire in Shovel (HEMM)           | Management was directed to provide Auto Fire Detection and Suppression System and take steps to avoid recurrence of the incident. |

* Indicates that there occurred a Dangerous occurrence due to fire and no casualty was reported.