Lok Sabha Question No. 810 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-04
Subject: Pollution due to Coal Transportation
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 810 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2026

## POLLUTION DUE TO COAL TRANSPORTATION

## 810: Dr. Kadiyam Kavya

Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state :

(a)  whether the Government has assessed the impact of coal transportation and coal-linked logistics  on  pollution  and  public  health  in  regions  connected  through  rail/road  corridors affecting Warangal district in Telangana and if so, the details thereof;

(b)  whether  any  mitigation  measures  are  being  implemented  to  reduce  dust  pollution  and improve safety in coal transport routes;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) the steps taken by the Government to ensure environmental compliance and public safety in coal movement affecting Warangal region?

## ANSWER

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

(a): The nearest coal mines to Warangal district are operated by Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) in Bhupalapalli area of Jayashankar Bhupalapalli district, located approximately 65 km from Warangal town. About 4,000 tonnes of coal per day is transported from Bhupalapalli mines to Uppal railway siding by road through tarpaulin-covered trucks over a distance of around 56 km.

Environmental  Impact Assessment  (EIA)  studies,  including  assessment  of  air  quality, noise  levels,  water  quality  and  socio-economic  aspects,  have  been  conducted  by  the Environment Protection Training and Research Institute (EPTRI). Traffic impact assessment studies were also undertaken to assess the impact of coal transportation on ambient air and noise quality.

Further, periodic ambient air quality monitoring is carried out in the core and buffer zones of  SCCL  mining  projects  in  Bhupalapalli  district  to  assess  the  impact  of  mining  and  coal transportation activities on nearby habitations. As per the monitored data and impact prediction studies, air quality parameters are observed to be within the prescribed standards.

(b) & (c): To mitigate dust pollution and enhance safety along coal transport routes, SCCL is implementing the following measures:

- Mandatory covering of all coal-carrying vehicles with tarpaulin sheets.
- Security checks at mines to ensure compliance and possession of valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificates.
- Regular maintenance of Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) as per manufacturer schedules to control exhaust emissions.
- Regular water sprinkling in core zones, particularly near loading and unloading areas, to suppress dust generation.
- Installation of mobile mist spraying systems and fog cannons at Coal Handling Plants (CHPs) and critical transfer points.
- Use  of  covered  conveyor  belts  and  dust  suppression  systems  at  coal  handling  and transfer areas.

- Deployment of mechanical sweepers for removal of coal dust from transport roads to prevent re-suspension.
- Asphalting and periodic maintenance of coal transport roads to minimize dust from vehicular movement.
- Development of avenue plantation and green belts along approximately 54 km of coal transport routes, mine boundaries and nearby habitations.
- Establishment of Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Stations (CAAQMS) in core and buffer zones, with real-time data sharing with Telangana Pollution Control Board (TGPCB).

(d): The Government, through SCCL, ensures environmental compliance and public safety in coal transportation by:

- Compliance  with  Environmental  Clearance  conditions  and  statutory  requirements stipulated by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and Telangana Pollution Control Board.
- Regular monitoring of ambient air quality and noise levels in core and buffer zones and submission of half-yearly environmental compliance reports to regulatory authorities.
- Implementation of dust suppression measures such as water sprinkling, mist spraying, covered coal transportation and maintenance of haul roads.
- Conducting regular safety checks, including breath analyser tests of drivers, to promote safe road transportation.
- Green belt development along transport corridors and periodic inspections to ensure sustained environmental and public health safeguards.

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