Lok Sabha Question No. 1990 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-11
Subject: Health Issues among Coal Mines Workers
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. Gumma Thanuja Rani

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 1990 ANSWERED ON 11.02.2026

## HEALTH ISSUES AMONG COAL MINES WORKERS

## 1990. DR. GUMMA THANUJA RANI:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

(a)  whether a recent study has highlighted severe health issues linked to mining pollutants among coal miners including respiratory and skin diseases and if so, the details thereof; (b)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  action  to  mitigate  these  health  risks  among coal workers; and

(c) if so, the details thereof including any plans for transitioning coal workers towards  employment in renewable energy sectors?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The  Coal  Sector  PSUs  undertake  extensive  and  continuous  health  studies,  surveillance programmes and epidemiological assessments to monitor disease patterns in coal mining regions. Health conditions related to mining exposure, including respiratory and dermatological disorders are routinely assessed through a structured framework comprising Initial Medical Examination (IME),  Periodic  Medical  Examinations  (PME)  and  statutory  occupational  health  surveys. Suspected  occupational  diseases  are  evaluated  through  Occupational  Disease  Boards  (ODB), functional  in  all  subsidiaries  of  Coal  India  Limited  (CIL)  and  Singareni  Collieries  Company Limited (SCCL).

Based on consolidated medical records and ODB evaluations, no confirmed cases of occupational respiratory or dermatological diseases have been reported during the last five years in CIL and SCCL. Continuous monitoring is, however, carried out for early detection and timely intervention.

NLCIL mines are open cast mines and are fully mechanised. As such no manual labours are used in direct mining activities and hence, they are at minimal risk in acquiring occupational related illness.

(b) and (c): The Coal Sector PSUs have taken extensive preventive and mitigating measures to address health risks associated with mining activities. Details are as under: (i)  Coal Sector PSUs have developed a strong health care infrastructure. Coal India Limited (CIL) operates one of the largest industrial healthcare networks in the country comprising 64 hospitals, 300 dispensaries, 69 Occupational Health Centres, 3,769 beds, 1,054 doctors, 939 nurses, 2,301 paramedical staff, 500 ambulances and 19 mobile medical vans, supported by 523 empanelled super-speciality hospitals. All medical services, including for contractual workers, are provided free of cost. SCCL operates 7 area hospitals, 21 dispensaries with 821 beds, supported by empanelled superspeciality hospitals. All medical services, including for contractual workers, are provided free of cost. NLCIL has an integrated Occupational Health Services model supported by a 350-bedded hospital, providing  comprehensive  clinical  and  occupational  health  services  including  pulmonology, dermatology, psychiatry, industrial hygiene and medical sociology. (ii)  A  structured Occupational  Health  Services  (OHS) framework  is  functional  across  all subsidiaries of CIL and SCCL, with dedicated OHS Wings led by trained Occupational Health Physicians. (iii)  Regular broncho-pulmonary  medical  camps are  conducted  by  CIL  and  SCCL  through empanelled hospitals for early detection and management of dust-related respiratory conditions. are organised across CIL subsidiaries and SCCL to promote correct selection and usage of respirators and other protective

(iv) Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) awareness programmes devices.

These  measures  collectively  aim  at  prevention,  early  detection  and  effective  management  of mining-related health risks among coal mine workers. There are no plans for transitioning coal workers towards employment in renewable energy sectors.

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