Lok Sabha Question No. 4209 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-03-18
Subject: Revival of the Chinakuri  Underground Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Shri Azad Kirti Jha

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4209 ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026

## REVIVAL OF THE CHINAKURI UNDERGROUND MINES

## 4209. SHRI AZAD KIRTI JHA:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  approved  the  revival/operationalisation  of  the  Chinakuri underground mine under Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) in Paschim Bardhaman district in West Bengal
- (b)  if  so,  the  details  thereof  including  the  revenue-sharing  model,  private  partner,  if  any, projected production investment and expected benefits for the local economy;
- (c) the specific reasons for early closure of the mine including technical, safety, financial and environmental factors and the estimated loss of jobs and income for affected workers and local communities;
- (d) the measures taken or proposed to improve productivity, reduce operational inefficiencies, modernise technology and strengthen the mine's overall financial viability so as to avoid recurrence of past difficulties; and
- (e) the details of the safeguards adopted to ensure ecologically safe and socially responsible operation including land subsidence control, pollution mitigation, mine closure plans, workers' safety and protection of employment and welfare of the local population?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY)

- (a) & (b): The Chinakuri underground mine is a working mine. The mine has been awarded to M/s BKB Transport Pvt. Ltd. in MDO (Mine Developer and Operator) revenue sharing mode on 23.12.2022. Mining Plan of 1.0 MTY was approved by ECL Board on 24.09.2024. Mine has been handed over to MDO on 11.06.2025. The MDO has offered revenue sharing of 8.00% to ECL.

There is no investment from ECL as mine is to be operated by MDO. Projected production from the mine is given below: -

| Projected Production in lakh tonne   |   Projected Production in lakh tonne |
|--------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|
| 1st Year                             |                                  1.5 |
| 2nd Year                             |                                  1.5 |
| 3rd Year                             |                                  2   |
| 4th Year                             |                                  2.5 |

| 5th Year   |   2.5 |
|------------|-------|
| 6th Year   |   4   |
| 7th Year   |   4.5 |
| 8th Year   |   4.5 |
| 9th Year   |   8   |
| 10th Year  |   8   |
| 11th Year  |   8   |
| 12th Year  |   8   |
| 13th Year  |  10   |
| 14th Year  |  10   |
| 15th Year  |   8   |
| 16th Year  |  10   |
| 17th Year  |  10   |
| 18th Year  |   8   |
| 19th Year  |   8   |
| 20th Year  |   8   |
| 21st Year  |   8   |
| 22nd Year  |   8   |
| 23rd Year  |   8   |
| 24th Year  |   8   |
| 25th Year  |   8   |
| Total      | 167   |

(c): The mine was discontinued as coal deposit in the mine was at a depth of more than 500 m. There was no loss of job of workers as they were deployed in other nearby mines of ECL.

(d): The following measures have been taken to improve productivity, reduce operational inefficiencies, modernise technology and strengthen the mine's overall financial viability so as to avoid recurrence of past difficulties:

- Hiring of MDO for working of the mine as stated above.
- MDO has currently deployed LHD (load haul dump) machines with belt conveyor.
- MDO  has  proposed  to  deploy  continuous  cutting  technology  (Standard  Height Continuous Miner, Road Header & Longwall with stowing).

(e): The details of the safeguards adopted to ensure ecologically safe and socially responsible operation of the Chinakuri Underground Coal Mine are as follows:

- All  previously  deployed  manpower  of  Eastern  Coalfields  Limited  at  Chinakuri  UG Mine has been redeployed at other nearby mines without any retrenchment. Further, the MDO has employed around 544 persons.
- Welfare measures include provision of amenities such as school bus and ambulance services and installation of an RO plant near village Junut for employees and the local population.
- With regard to workers' safety, mining operations are carried out in compliance with the Mines Act, 1952; Coal Mines Regulations, 2017; and Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020, under the supervision of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). Workers are provided with mandatory PPE, continuous gas monitoring systems are in place, and regular safety training and pre-shift safety talks are conducted.
- Land  subsidence  control  is  ensured  as  per  the  approved  Mining  Plan  and  other guidelines.
- Pollution mitigation measures are implemented as per the Environmental Clearance conditions.
- The  approved  Mine  Closure  Plan  has  been  submitted  to  the  Coal  Controller Organisation (CCO) and is monitored through its field offices.

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