Measures Adopted To Reduce Pollution during Coal Transportation & To Check Illegal Mining of Coal

#Gol #Mining #compliance

Source: Govt. of India

Coal mining operations have some impact on the environment in terms of change in land use pattern, dust, air, water and noise pollution. It is mandatory for all projects of CIL to get the Environmental Management Plan (EMP) approved by the competent authority before commencing the mining operations.

A detailed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is carried out for each project considering pre and post mining conditions for preparing EMPs which are discussed in detail by the Environmental Appraisal Committee (EAC) of experts under MoEF&CC. On the basis of the discussions, EAC recommends the case and accordingly Environment Clearance (EC) is granted by the MoEF&CC. While granting EC, MoEF&CC stipulates conditions/ mitigation measures for implementing the EMPs which have to be complied with by the project proponents. On obtaining EC, the project proponent also secures Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) under the provisions of Water and Air Acts from the concerned State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB).

During the course of implementation of the project, the compliance of the conditions laid in the EC is being monitored through regional offices of MoEF&CC, SPCBs and internally by coal companies. Measurements of pollutant levels for coal mines as enumerated in GSR 742 (E) dated 25.09.2000 is implemented and the report so generated is sent to regional offices of MoEF&CC and SPCB. Further, Ministry of Railways has issued guidelines/directions to all Zonal Railways in April 2018, for action to be taken with regard to handling of pollution intensive commodities at sidings and goods sheds in accordance with the provisions of State Pollution Control Board.

The following control measures adopted by CIL for Air Pollution caused due to transportation of Coal:

1. Low capacity tippers (10-12 Tonne) are progressively being replaced by large tippers (35 tonne) to reduce the number of trips resulting in reduction in air pollution levels.
2. Roads are black-topped, coal carrying trucks are optimally loaded and covered with tarpaulin.

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