Lok Sabha Question No. 1724 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-10
Subject: Impact of Coal Mining Expansion
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1724 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025

## Impact of Coal Mining Expansion

## 1724: Smt. Sangeeta Kumari Singh Deo:

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the recent expansion of coal mining in Angul district of Odisha where coal production has risen from 96.73 MT in 2021-22 to 115.06 MT in 2023-24, on land diversion patterns including the 1,077 hectare diverted for mining between 2020 and 2023 and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) the number and present operational status of coal blocks in Angul including the projected timelines for  new projects  such  as  Subhadra  and  Balabhadra  and  the  mitigation  conditions imposed during approval;
- (c) whether any cumulative impact assessment has been undertaken for the 66 coal blocks in Angul district to evaluate pressures created by compact, high-density mining clusters; and
- (d) if so, the steps taken by the Government to ensure that mining plans, transportation routes and ancillary infrastructure do not intensify human-wildlife interface risks in areas adjoining active coalfields?

## ANSWER

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

(a) Yes, the Government has assessed the impact of the recent increase in coal production in Angul district rising from 96.73 MT in 2021-22 to 116.089 MT in 2023-24 in the following projects  through  the  statutory  processes  of  Environmental  Clearance  (EC)  and  EIA-EMP appraisal undertaken by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

| Sl. No   | Name of the Project& Capacity   | Available EC capacity in MTfrom 2021-22 till 2023-24   | Production details (in MT)   | Production details (in MT)   | Production details (in MT)   |
|----------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Sl. No   | Name of the Project& Capacity   | Available EC capacity in MTfrom 2021-22 till 2023-24   | 2021-22                      | 2022-23                      | 2023-24                      |
| 1        | Ananta OC Expn.                 | 20                                                     | 13.58                        | 17.09                        | 19.999                       |
| 2        | Jagannath OC Expn.              | 7.5                                                    | 7.03                         | 7.50                         | 7.50                         |
| 3        | Bhubaneswari OCP Expn.          | 28Mty in 21-22 and 30 Mty from 2022-23                 | 28.00                        | 30.00                        | 24.235                       |

| 4   | Bharatpur OC Expn.   |     20 |   9.25 |   9.252 |   11.12 |
|-----|----------------------|--------|--------|---------|---------|
| 6   | Balram OCP           |   8    |   6.53 |   7.739 |   7.74  |
| 7   | Hingula-II OCP       |  15    |   7.74 |  12.38  |  13.059 |
| 8   | Lingaraj OC Expn.    |  20    |  14.46 |  16.51  |  17.539 |
| 9   | Kaniha OCP           |  14    |  10.1  |  12.151 |  11.811 |
| 10  | Talcher UG           |   0.27 |   0    |   0     |   0     |
| 11  | Nandira UG           |   0.33 |   0.06 |   0.06  |   0.056 |
| 12  | Utkal D&E            |   4    |   0    |   0     |   2     |
| 13  | Utkal C              |   3.37 |   0    |   0     |   1.03  |
|     | Total                | 142.47 |  96.75 | 113.99  | 116.089 |

From the above table, all the mines have increased production within their EC permissible limits only.

(b) The details of coal blocks in Angul District are as follows :

i.  There are 25 blocks under the command area of Mahanadi Coalfield Limited in Angul District. Out of this, 19 coal blocks are projectized, status of which is attached in Annexure-

## 1.

ii.  In addition, 19 coal blocks have been allocated by the Nominated Authority (Ministry of Coal) in Angul district of Odisha. Out of these, four blocks have commenced production as on date. Status is attached in Annexure-2.

The expected timelines for new projects of MCL are as under:

- I. Subhadra OCP: FY 2027-28
- II. Balabhadra OCP: FY 2028-29

The mitigation measures of Subhadra & Balbhadra opencast greenfield mines in Angul are as under in tabular form:

| Project     |   EC Capacity (MTY) | EC Date    | Status                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
|-------------|---------------------|------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Subhadra OC |                  25 | 06.03.2024 | Few Specific conditions imposed in ECare as follows. a. Greenbelt development on approximately 426.15 hectares (38% of lease area) with a survival rate of 70%. b. Dust suppression measures such as fog cannons, mist sprinklers, and wind barriers at coal stockyards. c. Installation of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) and real-time data display. d. Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) for zero discharge of untreated water. e. Occupational health safeguards, including periodic medical examinations and safety equipment. |

|              |               | f. Reclamation plan covering 965.45 hectares, including agricultural use, plantation, and water harvesting structures. g. CSR and Public Hearing commitments for healthcare, education, water supply, and infrastructure development in nearby villages. Other conditions as prescribed in EC, FC, CTE, CTO,CGWA NOC, HWA letters are available in MCL website: https://www.mahanadicoal.in/Environment/estatuatorycp.php   |
|--------------|---------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| Balbhadra OC | Yet to obtain | Environmental Clearance application process of Balbhadra Project from MoEF&CC is underway. The EC would have details of the mitigation conditions once it is issued.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |

(c)  &  (d): Though  no  such  broader  study  of  cumulative  impact  assessment  has  been undertaken for the 66 coal blocks in Angul district to evaluate pressures created by the compact, high-density mining clusters, the cumulative impact assessment for Bhubaneswari, Jagannath, Balram & Subhadra opencast mines have been undertaken, which are nearer to most of the mines operating in Talcher Coalfield of Angul district.

All the coal mine projects are operated after obtaining Forest Diversion as per Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980. Further the following steps are taken to address the human wildlife interface risks in areas adjoining active coalfields.

1. In compliance to the conditions, Site Specific Wildlife Management Plan is approved by PCCF (WL) & CWLW, Odisha and implemented by the State Forest Deptt. at project cost which is deposited in CAMPA.

2. Additionally,  cost  for  Regional  Wildlife  Management  Plan  is  deposited  in  CAMPA  for further implementation.

3. Provisioning animal passage plan wherever required.

4.  Undertaking  awareness  campaigns  in  coordination  with  VSS  committees,  local  village committees.

In  addition to the above, other measures such as compensatory afforestation, Soil Moisture Conservation etc. for flourishing the wildlife habitat are undertaken in coordination with State Forest Deptt. as compliance measures.

The project proponent ensures reduced traffic intensity of coal trucks by implementation of Conveyor & Silo arrangement thereby maximizing rail despatch of coal. Besides, thick green belts, dust suppression measures like fog canon, road sweeper, mobile sprinklers are in place to protect from the risks on human and wildlife.

Transportation  routes,  specifically  coal  corridors,  have  been  established  that  do  not  pass through nearby habitations, and speed restrictions are enforced in sensitive zones.

## Annexure-I

| Sl. No.   | Name of Block                                       | Projectised/ Non- Projectised   | Remarks/Timelines                                                                                                                                                                    |
|-----------|-----------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 1         | Ananta &Dip Extn.                                   | Projectized                     | Projectised for Ananta OCP                                                                                                                                                           |
| 2         | Bhubaneswari & Dip Extn.                            | Projectized                     | Projectised for Bhubaneswari OCP                                                                                                                                                     |
| 3         | Lingaraj                                            | Projectized                     | Projectised for Lingaraj OCP                                                                                                                                                         |
| 4         | Balabhadra                                          | Projectized                     | Projectised for Balabhadra OCP, Mine is yet to be operational.                                                                                                                       |
| 5         | Jagannath                                           | Projectized                     | Projectised for Jagannath OCP.                                                                                                                                                       |
| 6         | Padma                                               | Projectized                     | Projectised for Jagannath OCP and Bharatpur OCP                                                                                                                                      |
| 7         | Bharatpur Comb.                                     | Projectized                     | Projectised for Bharatpur OCP                                                                                                                                                        |
| 8         | Kalinga East                                        | Projectized                     | Projectidsed for Bharatpur OCP &Balaram OCP                                                                                                                                          |
| 9         | Kalinga West                                        | Projectized                     | Projectised for Balaram OCP                                                                                                                                                          |
| 10        | (Baitarani East)                                    | Non- Projectized                | Part projectized for Chhendipada OCP, and the mine has been closed due to exhaustion of reserve. PR for the non projectized part under finalisation. Timeline for operation- 2031-32 |
| 11        | Deulbera                                            | Projectized                     | Projectised for Deulbera UG mine. Mine has been closed due to safety reason.                                                                                                         |
| 12        | Gopalprasad East & Eastern part of Gopalprasad West | Projectized                     | Projectised for Hingula OCP                                                                                                                                                          |
| 13        | Handidua                                            | Projectized                     | Projectised for Handidhua UGmine. Mine has been closed due to safety reason.                                                                                                         |
| 14        | Kaniha-Neelachal                                    | Projectized                     | Projectised for Kaniha OCP                                                                                                                                                           |
| 15        | Nandira                                             | Projectized                     | Projectised for Nandira OCP                                                                                                                                                          |
| 16        | Nataraj                                             | Projectized                     | The block was projectized for Natraj UG mine, However, the mine has neen shelved out due to viability of the project.                                                                |
| 17        | South Balanda                                       | Projectized (Exhausted)         | Projectised for South Balanda OCP. Reserve exhausted.                                                                                                                                |
| 18        | Talcher                                             | Projectized                     | Projectised for Talcher UG mine.                                                                                                                                                     |
| 19        | Western part of Gopalprasad West                    | Projectized                     | Projectised for Subhadra OCP, the mine is yet to be operationalised.                                                                                                                 |
| 20        | UtkalA                                              | Projectized                     | Timeline- 2027-28                                                                                                                                                                    |
| 21        | Konark-Subhadra West Comb.                          | Not Projectized                 | GR prepared. Timeline is yet to be finalised.                                                                                                                                        |
| 22        | Balabhadra North Extn.                              | Not Projectized                 | PR for Balabhadra (N&W) Extension OCP under                                                                                                                                          |
| 23        | Balabhadra West Extn.                               | Not Projectized                 | finalisation. Timeline-2031-32                                                                                                                                                       |
| 24        | Rabipur                                             | Not Projectized                 | Under Exploration. Timeline is yet to be finalised.                                                                                                                                  |
| 25        | Tribira                                             | Not Projectized                 | Under Exploration. Timeline is yet to be finalised.                                                                                                                                  |
|           | 25 blocks                                           |                                 |                                                                                                                                                                                      |

## Annexure-II

| SN.   | Name of the coal block   | Status of the coal block                                                                                                   | Expected year of Operationalisation   |
|-------|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------|
| 1     | Naini                    | Producing                                                                                                                  | Producing                             |
| 2&3   | UtkalD&E                 | Producing                                                                                                                  | Producing                             |
| 4     | Utkal C                  | Producing                                                                                                                  | Producing                             |
| 5     | Baitarni West            | In process of obtaining statutory approvals/clearances                                                                     | FY27                                  |
| 6     | Mandakini                | In process of obtaining statutory approvals/clearances                                                                     | FY27                                  |
| 7     | Radhikapur (West)        | In process of obtaining statutory approvals/clearances                                                                     | FY28                                  |
| 8     | UtkalA                   | MOP granted, however production is yet to start                                                                            | FY26                                  |
| 9     | Bankhui                  | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY29                                  |
| 10&11 | Utkal B1 &B2             | Utkal B1: MOP granted, however production is yet to start Utkal B2: In process of obtaining statutory approvals/clearances | FY28                                  |
| 12    | Alaknanda                | In process of obtaining statutory approvals/clearances                                                                     | FY28                                  |
| 13    | Chendipada (Revised)     | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY29                                  |
| 14    | Sakhigopal-B Kankili     | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY29                                  |
| 15    | Kudanali Lubri           | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY30                                  |
| 16    | Machhakata (Revised)     | In process of obtaining statutory approvals/clearances                                                                     | FY29                                  |
| 17    | Sakhigopal-B Kakurhi     | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY30                                  |
| 18    | New Patrapara South      | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY30                                  |
| 19    | Saradhapur Jalatap East  | GR preparation stage                                                                                                       | FY31                                  |

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