Guwahati: With the flag off of two coal loaded trucks one for Bihar and other for UP by local traditional king of Khasi community the transportation of Meghalaya's first scientific coal mining block started at 17th Mile, Byrnihat near Guwahati on Wednesday.
The commercial transition site was started by Dapmain Shylla, the owner of the mining lease at Saryngkham-A" coal mine at Byndihati in East Jaintia Hills that opened recently by Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma. The transportation of coal from Meghalaya will reduce import of coal to India substantially.
The development came after agreements were signed between the Centre and three miners from Meghalaya in January 2024.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining in Meghalaya in 2014 due to widespread safety and environmental concerns associated with traditional, unscientific "rat-hole" mining.
This practice had resulted in numerous miners fatalities, particularly in the coal-rich Jaintia Hills region.
However, the state govt successfully petitioned at the Supreme Court and the NGT ban was lifted in 2019.
The traders from outside like Bihar, UP have also participated in today's trading where the locals expressed their happiness which will boost the economy of the region.
It may be mentioned here that Saryngkham-A" coal mine at Byndihati in East Jaintia Hills opened on March 17 by Meghalaya CM Conrad Sangma.
Prior to the 2014 ban, coal mining generated approximately Rs 700 crore in annual revenue for Meghalaya. Meghalaya government and Coal India Limited till now appointed 12 lesses for scientific mining. Scientific mining will reduce illegal unscientific mining in the state.
This transportation with legal valid GST papers will also stop illegal coal trade where traders have to pay Rs 3 lakh to cross Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal andolan Bihar as goonda tax.
