Coal news and updates

Illegal mining on rise in industrial towns

November 17: Even as various state governments remain quiet, industry sources said illegal mining is becoming a bigger menace in industrial towns, especially in the eastern states of Jharkhand, Bihar and West Bengal.

“Coal theft is becoming rampant in townships like Asansol, Dhanbad and Ranchi. Truck-loads of coal are being illegally transported daily out of the mines around these places,” informed sources told ICMW.

While a part of this coal is sold to local consumers, including hotels and restaurants, the majority portion goes to traders, they said.

“This is a fact known to the police and administration but little action is taken,” the sources claimed.

The governments as well as Coal India subsidiaries often play down the incidents saying pilferage from abandoned mines or moving rakes account for only minuscule volumes.