Coal news and updates

Law & order limits CMPDI’s outsourced exploration

November 27: The pace of exploration activity by Coal India Ltd (CIL) subsidiary Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) is being severely constrained by law and order problems prevailing in some areas of Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, a senior official said.

“Most of the blocks are located in Jharkhand, Odisha and Chhattisgarh where the law and order situation is not good. This, in particular, is impacting the work of agencies we engage for outsourcing drilling jobs,” the official said.

This could explain why outsourced drilling at CMPDI achieved only 68% of the target, while departmental drilling achievement was as high as 98% of the target set for April-October, 2015, he said.

“If we lodge an FIR, the local groups threaten to stop departmental activity as well,” the source said.

In at least two areas, machineries were burnt by the local groups. Despite repeated representations to the Centre and state governments and talks with the local police, the situation has not shown any improvement.

“Additionally, there are Naxalite problems and political issues in some pockets. Despite this, we are achieving good growth which is evident from the numbers,” he added.

CMPDI has achieved 39% year-on-year growth in exploratory drilling during the first seven months (April-October) of 2015-16.