Lok Sabha Question No. 2978 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Accident due to Coal Transportation
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Kali Charan Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2978 TO BE ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## Accident due to Coal Transportation

## 2978. Shri Kali Charan Singh:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government is aware that large-scale coal mining by Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) and the power generation activities of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) have led to excessive coal transportation, severe dust pollution, rapid road deterioration and frequent accidents due to congestion on a single transport corridor in Tandwa Block of Chatra district of Jharkhand and if so, the details thereof;

(b) whether any technical assessment has been carried out regarding the need for a dedicated coal  transportation  corridor  to  reduce  traffic  load  and  enhance  safety  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to implement time-bound measures for pollution control, including  mechanised  dust  suppression,  continuous  air-quality  monitoring  and  green-belt development along mining and transport routes and if so, the details thereof;

(d) whether any proposal is under consideration of the Government for scientific upgradation and reconstruction of the existing road network to withstand heavy-vehicle movement and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) whether the Government proposes to provide basic civic amenities, safety infrastructure and rehabilitation  support  to  the  affected  local  population  and  if  so,  the  timelines  for  such measures?

## ANSWER

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

(a) & (b) Yes, increased coal transportation in the Tandwa Block of Chatra district on account of mining activities of Central Coalfield Limited (CCL) and despatch of coal to NTPC power generation house, have resulted in higher movement of heavy vehicles on the existing transport corridor. This has led, in certain stretches, to dust generation, road stress and congestion. CCL has taken several measures, including regulated coal despatch scheduling, deployment of water tankers for dust suppression, strengthening and widening of critical stretches of the road and enhanced traffic management to reduce risks.

In order to reduce the traffic load/ minimise road transportation in the area, engineering survey/ study was carried out for preparing a detailed project report  for construction of a dedicated rail line for the Magadh & Amrapali railway siding in Tandwa Block of Chatra District. First mile connectivity (FMC) projects have been planned for evacuation of coal by CHP/SILO loading from Magadh OCP (open cast project) & Amrapali OCP. Construction of FMC projects and rail connectivity projects are underway.

Ministry of Coal had launched the Integrated Coal Logistics Plan and Policy on 29th February 2024, wherein project-wise origin-destination (OD) mapping along with bottlenecks for coal evacuation  from  mines  was  assessed. Based  on  this,  implementation  of  FMC  (first  mile connectivity) projects and rail connectivity works have been planned and executed to reduce road traffic movement and enhance safety.

(c) Prior to start of coal mining operation, coal companies carry out detailed Environmental Impact Assessment and, accordingly, Environment Management Plan is prepared and approved by  the  regulatory  authority  (MoEF&C/  SEIAA)  which  prescribes  implementation  of  dust suppression  measures  including  mobile  and  fixed  water  sprinklers,  fog  canons,  extensive plantation  program  in  and  around  mining  areas  including  transportation  routes. In  order  to ensure real time air quality monitoring, mining areas are equipped with continuous ambient air quality monitoring stations.

The following measures are being implemented in CCL projects located in Chatra district:

i)  Mist  sprinklers,  water  sprinkler  tankers,  truck  mounted  fog  canons,  trolley  mounted  fog canons and wind breaking screens have been provided for dust suppression.

ii) Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and PM 10 anlysers are installed which transmit real time data to Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board.

iii) About  1000  ha  plantation  has  been  done.  Miyawaki  plantation has  been  undertaken  in Amrapali.

(d) Yes, CCL has taken steps for scientific up-gradation and reconstruction of existing road networks  used  for  coal  transportation.  These  include  strengthening  of  roads,  widening  at critical  stretches,  improvement  of  curves  and  gradients,  and  construction  of  drains  and embankments.

(e) In affected villages in Chatra district, under corporate social responsibility programmes, CCL has undertaken installation of solar deep borewells in schools/ villages, construction of toilets and boundary walls in schools and installation of water filters in schools. Health camps, nutritional support to women/ adolescents/ TB patients and assistive devices to divyangs have also been provided.

Periodic community engagement in safety awareness programmes are conducted in the villages adjoining the mines to eliminate accident risks associated with coal transportation.

Rehabilitation support to project affected persons is provided as per Right to Fair Compensation  and  Transparency  in  Land Acquisition Rehabilitation  and  Resettlement Act, 2013; R&R Policy 2012 of Coal India Limited; and modification to R&R Policy approved by Board of CCL.

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