Fire in Coal Mines
Lok Sabha
Prior to nationalization there were 70 mine fires in Jharia coalfield. As a result of the efforts made by Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), 10 fires have been extinguished and spreading of number of fires have been controlled. At present, there are 40 mines which are affected by fires in Jharia Coalfield (Dhanbad) under the jurisdiction of Bharat Coking Coal Limited.
Presently there are no other mines of Coal India Ltd. having active fire. There have been cases of mine fires in past in some of the mines having fiery seams which have been controlled and sealed off. As per study conducted by Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited, reserves of coal lost due to fire is estimated at around 37 million tonnes in Jharia Coalfied.
The Government has taken a number of steps to control/extinguish fire in coal mines. Besides 16 schemes for dealing with fires, control of subsidence and reclamation of land/rehabilitation in BCCL have been sanctioned and funded by the Government. Out of these, 9 schemes have been completed. A Master Plan has also been prepared to deal with fires and control of subsidence in Jharia coalfield as a long term measure.
This information was given by the Minister of state for Coal, Dr. Dasari Narayana Rao in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
DS/AS/301105-PQ4-Fire-CoalMines
(Release ID :13694)