ROURKELA: Transportation of coal from the mines of Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Hemgir block of Sundargarh has become a cause of concern for the district administration and state government.
Plying of coal-laden trucks through villages in the block has made life miserable for locals who are facing dust pollution and loss of lives in road mishaps. With around two dozen new coal mines in the pipeline, the situation is set to worsen.
Sources said five persons were killed 13 days back after a van they were travelling in collided with a stationary trailer near Goikanpali on Taparia-Gopalpur road. The irate villagers resorted to protest demanding an independent coal corridor. However, at a meeting convened by Sundargarh sub-collector Dasarathi Sarabu on November 10, the discussion on the coal corridor was kept in abeyance.
After another protest three days back, the villagers demanded another independent coal corridor between Bankibahal and Kanika railway siding of MCL. They said while MCL is reluctant considering the cost involved, the district administration is helpless even as it is aware of the sufferings and legitimate grievances of the affected population.
Sources said MCL as of now produces around 40 million tonne per annum (MTPA) coal from its four functional mines of which almost 19 MTPA is transported by road. The rapid loading system of MCL, capable of loading at least 25 railway rakes per day, is yet to start due to unavailability of rakes. MCL’s long-term future plan to set up conveyor belts from mines to Kanika railway siding is of little immediate help against the prevailing crisis.
In the back of the present crisis, MCL is eyeing 100 MTPA production in the near future and working on setting up its 1,600 MW power plant. A dedicated coal corridor from Bankibhal to Bhedabahal (30.4 km) costing about Rs 455 crore with entire funding from MCL is expected to be completed by January next year. MCL has also spent around Rs 200 crore for four-laning of the Bankibhal-Kanika siding road.
Sundargarh MLA Jogesh Singh attributed the crisis to coal transportation through public roads in absence of adequate infrastructure. He said with around Rs 140 crore from the Sundargarh DMF, the Gopalpur-Taparia road of around 37 km has been two-laned. But there is urgent need for another two-lane road parallel to it for exclusive transportation of coal towards Chhattisgarh.
He said presently besides the MCL’s mines, major functional captive mines of Vedanta, OPGC, NTPC and others are coming up to aggravate the scenario. Mahanadi Coalmines Workers’ Union (MCWU) area secretary Bishwadut Roy said without bickering over as to who should do what is urgent, it is essential to provide safe and pollution-free service roads to the affected village population.
Mining woes
40 MTPA coal produced by MCA of which 19 MTPA transported through road
MCL’s rapid loading system yet to become functional
The PSU is eyeing 100 MTPC production in future