27 million tonnes coal lost in Jharia coalfied fires

New Delhi, Sep 4 (UNI) An estimated 27 million tonnes of coal reserves were lost due to underground fires in the Jharia Coalfield of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), located in and around Dhanbad in Jharkhand, according to a study conducted by the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited.

According to sources in the Coal Ministry, as many as 16 schemes have been chalked out for dealing with the fires, control of subsidence and reclamation and rehabilitation of land in the BCCL, of which nine have been completed.

A master plan has also been prepared to deal with the fires and controlling subsidence in the Jharia coalfield as part of long-term measures.

The sources said prior to their nationalisation, fires were reported from 70 mines in the coalfield. As a result of the BCCL efforts, 10 fires have been extinguished and a number of others brought under control.

At present, there are 40 mines which are affected by the fire in Jharia Coalfield under the jurisdiction of BCCL.

Presently, no other mines of Coal India Limited (CIL) are having active fire. There have been cases of fires in the past in some of the mines having fiery seams which have been brought under control and sealed off.

UNI BKS YA RN1713