Lok Sabha Question No. 1954 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2016-05-05
Subject: Fire Accidents in Coal Mines
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY, HARI MANJHI

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA Unstarred Question No. 1954 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.05.2016

## Fire Accidents in Coal Mines

## 1954.    SHRI RAVINDRA KUMAR PANDEY: SHRI HARI MANJHI:

Will the MINISTER OF COAL be pleased to state:

- (a)   the number of fire accidents occurred in various coal mines in the country along with the loss of life and property caused during each of the last three years, company and State-wise;
- (b) whether the Government has considered any investigation in this regard;
- (c) if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the action taken by the Government against the guilty persons, company-wise;
- (e)  the  funds  allocated  and  spent  for  ensuring  the  safety  and  security  of  workers  in  these  coal mines during the said period, company-wise; and
- (f) the steps taken by the Government to check the recurrence of such accidents in future ?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER AND NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): During last three years, one fatal accident occurred due to mine fire at Rajapur Open Cast Project (OCP) of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) on 05.08.2015, causing death of a shovel operator. There is no loss of property due to above fire accident.

(b): Yes, investigation has been carried out by BCCL to ascertain the circumstances leading to the said fire accident.

- (c): During  investigation  /enquiry  of  the  said  fire  accident,  it  was  revealed  that  the  victim marched toward the shovel too close to the face of the hot Over Burden (OB) bench and pushed the bucket directly at the bottom of the bench and it collapsed. The hot OB material fell on the ground,  filling  the  bucket  and  also  hitting  the  window  glass  of  the  operators  cabin  causing serious  burn  injury  to  the  victim  which  ultimately  resulted  into  fatality.Safety  measures  for avoiding recurrence of similar accident as suggested in the enquiry report are implemented in the mines.
- (d): Warning  letter  were  issued  to  the  Manager  (Exv.),  Sr.  Manager  (Mining),  Foreman  Incharge  (Elect.),  Sr.  Mechanic  (Maintenance)  who  were  held  responsible  in  Internal  Safety Organization enquiry.

(e): Company-wise funds allocated and spent (under capital head) for ensuring safety of workers in coal mines during the said period are given below:

(Amount in Rs Lakh)

| Compan   | Year : 2013-14   | Year : 2013-14   | Year : 2014-15   | Year : 2014-15   | Year : 2015 -16   | Year : 2015 -16   |
|----------|------------------|------------------|------------------|------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
| y        | Fund Allocated   | Fund Spent       | Fund Allocated   | Fund Spent       | Fund Allocated    | Fund Spent        |
| ECL      | 4316.00          | 4136.00          | 7975.00          | 4598.00          | 6628.00           | 5600.00           |
| BCCL     | 3585.46          | 1654.00          | 2524.38          | 2034.65          | 2263.98           | 2008.65           |
| CCL      | 1225.22          | 578.84           | 1162.65          | 879.40           | 656.14            | 500.16            |
| NCL      | 614.00           | 5.92             | 104.00           | 72.00            | 1198.00           | 1316.00           |
| WCL      | 325.00           | 376.3            | 533.00           | 205.47           | 1200.00           | 909.87            |
| SECL     | 2600.00          | 950.27           | 2000.00          | 105.00           | 1346.60           | 350.00            |
| MCL      | 1141.58          | 970.34           | 961.44           | 826.83           | 715.32            | 679.55            |
| NEC      | 150.67           | 37.30            | 72.59            | 45.79            | 135.10            | 57.23             |
| CIL      | 13957.93         | 8708.97          | 15333.06         | 8767.14          | 14143.14          | 11421.46          |

(Total)

(f): The following steps are taken to check the recurrence of such incidents in coal mines:-

1. Digging out of existing fire by opencast method.
2. Trench cutting against fire zone.
3. Nitrogen flushing into Under Ground fire areas.
4. Construction of sectionalization stopping in Under Ground mines.
5. Construction of water pool over fire area.
6. Regular air sampling and its analysis.
7. Regular inspection of mines.
8. Surface sealing and blanketing of area to prevent breathing of air.
9. Cooling of hot strata, quenching of fire and ultimately removal of fire material.
10. The shallow depth Under Ground mines is converted to Open Cast Mine.
11. Rehabilitation and Resettlement of people from the area affected by fire.
12. For special technical assistance, BCCL takes help/expert opinion from Central Institute of Mining  and  Fuel  Research,  Indian  School  of  Mines  and  Central  Mine  Planning  and Design Institute for dealing /extinguishing of fire.

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