Lok Sabha Question No. 321 (STARRED), answered on 2024-12-18
Subject: Accidents due to Coal Transportation Vehicles
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Kali Charan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *321 ANSWERED ON 18.12.2024

## Accidents due to Coal Transportation Vehicles

## *321. Shri Kali Charan Singh:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government is aware of the issues arising out of coal transportation through public  roads  from  Amrapali-Magadh  coal  mines  leading  to  frequent  accidents  and  over  a thousand fatalities caused by heavy transport vehicles and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Government has implemented or plans to implement a compensation policy for families affected by these accidents and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) whether any measures have been undertaken to hold Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) or transport companies accountable for such fatalities; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL AND MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (d)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  321  ANSWERED  ON  18.12.2024  ASKED  BY SHRI KALI CHARAN SINGH, HON'BLE MP REGARDING 'ACCIDENTS DUE TO COAL TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES'.

(a): Amrapali and Magadh coal mines are under the administrative control of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL). The safety aspects concerning mining and allied operations conducted within the leasehold area of Amrapali and Magadh coal mines are looked after by CCL management, for which CCL ensures that all safety measures required as per the applicable Rules & Regulation are put in place for maintaining safety in the mine. However, movement of traffic on public roads fall under the jurisdiction of State Authority and are  outside  the  purview  of  CCL.  Government  of  Jharkhand  has  informed  that  there  are  10 accidents in the  year, 2023 and 09 accidents occurred by heavy vehicles in the  year, 2024 respectively due to Coal transportation from Amrapali-Magadh Coal mines.

(b):   Compensation to the families affected by such accidents held within the leasehold area of coal mines are paid as per the applicable provisions. However, the accidents due to movement of traffic on public roads outside the leasehold area of coal mines, fall under the jurisdiction of State Authority and are outside the purview of coal companies. As such, there is no plan to implement any compensation policy for families affected by these accidents held outside the leasehold area of coal mines by CCL. Government of Jharkhand has informed that:

1. Under section 166 of Motor Vehicle Act, dependents of deceased can claim in Motor Accident Claim Tribunal (MACT) for compensation.
2. As per Notification of Home, Prison and Disaster Management Department, in case of death by Motor accident, Rs. One lakh compensation provided under State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) to the deceased family.
3. The  Government  has  implemented  Hit  &  Run  Policy  in  the  State.  In  case  of  fatal accident, the Government provide compensation of Rs. 2,00,000/- (Two Lakhs) to the nominee of  victim.  In  case  of  injury,  the  Government  provide  compensation  of  Rs.  50,000/-  to  the victim.

(c) & (d):  The accidents due to movement of traffic on public roads held outside the leasehold area of Amrapali and Magadh coal mines, fall under the jurisdiction of State Authority. As per the directives of Jharkhand Government, the officials of CCL and the transporters follow the Central  Motor  Vehicle  Rules.  Jharkhand  Government  has  also  informed  that  continuous checking  of  traffic  offenders,  i.e.  overloading  of  vehicles,  valid  fitness,  over  speeding  of vehicles etc. is done by enforcement team.

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