Rescue ops continue in Meghalaya mine as SC bans coal transportation

Guwahati, January 19, 2019:

Efforts to rescue 15 trapped miners continue at the flooded mine in Ksan for the 33rd consecutive day. At present, the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF), Navy, Odisha fire services, Kirloskar group and civil administration are available at the site. Representatives from three more agencies reached the spot to assess the situation on Sunday, namely, Planys Technologies, scientists of CSIR-NGRI and National Institute of Water Science. They were briefed by a commander of the NDRF about the situation.

Dewatering process is continuing with high power pumps in the main shaft as well as adjoining shafts. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy is operating the UWROW machine in main shaft number 26 to monitor activity inside the flooded mine.

Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has banned the transportation of extracted coal lying at various sites in Meghalaya.

The order was passed by a bench comprising of justices A.K. Sikri and S.A. Nazeer which refused the plea of miners to transport extracted coal. The next hearing has been postponed to February 19.

During the hearing, the bench asked the advocate general of Meghalaya, Amit Kumar, as to why illegal mining has not been stopped in the state despite its ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and referred to the recent tragedy at Ksan as evidence that the state government has failed in its duty to put a stop to the illegal activity.