ECL may resume mining operation after safety nod
DHANBAD: The Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) is awaiting clearance from Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) to resume mining operations at Lalmatia open cast that have been suspended since December 29 disaster.
Around 40 miners were feared trapped after a portion of the mine caved in. Eighteen bodies have now been excavated and operation is on to trace others.
Two plants of National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) based at Farakka in West Bengal and Kahalgoan in Bihar face acute shortage of coal causing shutdown of three units at these locations.
These mines used to supply around 40,000 tonnes of coal to these power plants daily but dispatches were closed since the accident. Though the plants had more than four lakh tonnes of coal in stock, disruption in supply has forced closure in power units.
Major share used to go to Kahalgoan that now has been forced to shut two of its units, said BP Yadav, the assistant manager of Kahalgoan unit who is camping at Lalmatia to ensure supply.
If supply is not restored, two units of Farakka power plant too would face shut down, said A Jha, the assistant manager of the plant.
Meanwhile, the people residing in Bhoiray, Nima, Chuntola and surrounding areas have urged DGM Sdeputy director general U Saha to resume mining in larger interests of the displaced who are living hand to mouth after mines closure.
None from the ECL was available for comment on this issue. But sources said the company might start mining at Bhoriay, located at distance of over 300 metres from the accident spot.
Leader of Opposition Hemant Soren visited the site on Saturday and demanded setting up a court of inquiry into the causes of mines accident. He also criticised the “sluggish” search operations.
Soren said it's clear the mining company nor the outsourced firm had engaged any labourers from locals. The JMM would oppose such mining companies in future from operating here, he said.