At the time of Nationalisation of coal mines, 78 fires were reported from Jharia Coalfields (JCF), out of which 11 locations are dormant; 10 extinguished and rest 57 locations are active and in Raniganj Coalfields (RCF) 7 fires were reported. The fires in Raniganj Coalfields in underground coal mines worked by erstwhile mine owners at shallow depth are existing at many places in Raniganj areas such as Sanctoria village, Nimcha,Toposi Raniganj, Ratibati, Samdi, Sangramgargh etc.
To address the issue of fire in Jharia and Ranigunj coal mines, Ministry of Coal, has approved a “Master Plan for dealing with Fire, Subsidence & Rehabilitation in the lease hold areas of BCCL and ECL” (Master Plan) with a total capital investment of Rs.7112.11 crores for the areas in JCF under the command area of Bharat Coking Coalfields Ltd. ( BCCL) and Rs.2661.73 crores for the areas in RCF under the command area of Eastern Coalfields Ltd. (ECL). The implementation of the Master Plan is under progress.
Mine safety technique has been improved over the period of time in the country. The technology like Longwall mining, use of Continuous Minor and strata control technology has improved the safety status of mining. Major improvements in safety techniques were possible through Roof Strata control Management; Early detection of inflammable and noxious gases by using modern and advanced gadgets; Continuous online mine atmosphere monitoring system; Better and accurate mine air sampling by using latest Gas Chromatography technology; Eco-friendly surface miner for elimination of blasting in opencast; Operator Independent Truck Dispatch System (OITDS); Slope Stability Radar (SSR); Mechanization of underground operation ; Training and skill development.
There have been constraints in extinguishing the fire burning in Jharia and it’s surrounding areas due to inaccessibility of fire zone for directly using fire fighting methods and highly populated / inhabitated areas.
This information was given by the Minister of State in the Ministry of Coal, Shri Pratik Prakashbapu Patil in a written reply in Lok sabha today.