PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED CLUSTER – 6 (9 MINES IN A COMBINED ML AREA OF 4775 Ha) LOCATED IN COALFIELDS, DIST. – BURDWAN, , PROPOSED BY M/S LIMITED, HELD ON 29.11.2013 AT 12:00 HRS. AT THE CHINAKURI GUEST HOUSE OF EASTERN COALFIELDS LIMITED, AREA, PO – SUNDARCHAK, DIST. – BURDWAN, WEST BENGAL.

M/s Eastern Coalfields Limited submitted an application to West Bengal Pollution Control Board for conducting a Public Hearing for the proposed Cluster­6 (9 Mines of production capacity 1.013 MTPA with a peak production of 1.750 MTPA in a combined ML area of 4775 Ha) in Raniganj Coalfields, Dist. – Burdwan, West Bengal. As per the EIA Notification S.O. 1533 dated 14 th September, 2006 of the Ministry of Environment & Forest, Govt. of India, Environment Clearance for the said project is required to be obtained from the MoEF, Govt. of India after conducting the Public Hearing.

Accordingly, West Bengal Pollution Control Board after observing all formalities, held the Public Hearing on 29.11.2013 at 12:00 Hrs. at the Chinakuri Guest House of E.C.L. Sodepur area, PO – Sundarchak, Dist.­ Burdwan, West Bengal. All the panel members were present in the hearing. Sri P. Biswas, Additional District Magistrate (Development), Dist. ­ Burdwan presided over the hearing. List of the panel members and the others present in the public hearing is enclosed.

The hearing started with a welcome note from Sri Debashis Sarkar, Sr. Environmental Engineer, West Bengal Pollution Control Board. He explained about the provisions of the above stated MoEF notification and also informed the audience about the draft proposal of M/s Eastern Coalfields Ltd. for the proposed Cluster­6 (9 Mines of production capacity 1.013 MTPA with a peak production of 1.750 MTPA in a combined ML area of 4775 Ha) in Raniganj Coalfields , Dist. – Burdwan, West Bengal.

Sri P. Biswas, Additional District Magistrate (Development), Dist. – Burdwan welcomed the audience and gave a brief introduction about the proposed project and its probable impact on the environment. He then requested the project proponent to explain in details about the proposed project, giving emphasis on the environmental aspects in particular, for discussion among the panel members and others present in the hearing and also invited suggestions from the public present in the hearing.

Sri G.C.Bauri, General Manager, Sodepur Area, Eastern Coalfields Limited welcomed the audience and told that there is no need of obtaining Environment Clearance (E.C.) for the existing 9 UG old mines, as there was no such rules at that time. But since they are going for expansion of production capacity, Environment Clearance has become mandatory. He also mentioned that UG mines have less pollution potential as compared to the OC mines.

Sri Anand Sekhar of CMPDI on behalf of M/s. Eastern Coalfields Ltd. has mentioned that there are 111 existing mines under E.C.L. and they have been grouped into 13 Clusters. He narrated about the concept of cluster, proposed project details of Cluster No. 6, present environmental scenario including ambient air quality, water quality, land use, environmental impact, noise pollution, and the proposed corporate policy for environmental management through Power Point presentation emphasizing on the likely environmental impacts arising out of the same as well as the proposed pollution abatement measures to be taken by the project proponent. He has pointed out about the capacity of the mines under Cluster – 6 as per the original ToR dated 09.02.2011 as well as the modified ToR dated 29.02.2012. He has also mentioned that all the 9 mines of cluster – 6 are UG mines and presently in operation. Out of the existing 9 UG mines, OC patches have been proposed with 4 UG mines, namely Sodepur UG, Patmohana UG, Chinakuri­III UG and Methani UG. He mentioned about the list of mines after incorporating the patches as per above mentioned ToRs. Details are tabulated below :­

Page 1 of 4 Sl. Name of the Mine Lease Normative Peak Mine No. Area (Ha) Production Production Life Capacity Capacity (Years) (MTY) (MTY) 1. Dhemomain UG 1623 0.155 0.21 > 50 2. Sodepur UG 808 0.12 0.15 > 10 Sodepur OC Patch (10 Ha)* 0.12 0.15 2 3. Narsamuda UG 265 0.148 0.19 > 10 4. Patmohana UG 544 0.12 0.12 > 40 Patmohana OC Patch (7.5 0.10 0.10 1 Ha)* 5. Chinakuri – I UG 414 0.06 0.08 > 50 6. Chinakuri – III UG 216 0.15 0.20 > 25 Chinakuri­III UG Patch (7.2 0.10 0.10 1 Ha)* 7. Bejdih UG 242 0.04 0.10 > 20 8. Methani UG 348 0.10 0.20 > 20 Methani OC Patch (10.5 Ha)* 0.12 0.15 1½ 9. Sheetalpur UG 315 0.12 0.50 > 30 Total 4775.00 1.453 2.25

*new proposed opencast patches / mine (area of the patch give in brakets).

Sri Sekhar further mentioned that the solid wastes generated due to mining activity will be disposed off in environment friendly manner. It was also informed that the wastewater generated during mining process will be reused for mining and will be utilised for agricultural, dust suppression & green belt development and will be supplied to the local villages through pipelines after necessary treatment. Project proponent also mentioned that they would generate employment for local people and take neighboring villagers into confidence in each stage of project. He further mentioned that the PP will spend necessary fund as per Govt. Rules for CSR purpose.

During the discussion the panel members and the others present in the public hearing made queries / suggestions with respect to the proposed project, which are noted below:

Sri Sandip Ghosh, Chhoto Dhemo told that no development work has been done for their village by the E.C.L. / Government for a long time, even there is no drinking water. Their village is deprived from getting all types of facilities. He mentioned these issues should be looked into.

Sri Deonath Yadav, Chinakuri – 1 & 2 Colliery, told that Chinakuri – 1 Colliery is very old and has a stock of about 70 million tonne of coal. But due to application of old technology adequate quantity of coal cannot be raised. He also complained that no development work has been undertaken in this colliery area for a long time, drinking water is not available there and environment should be improved for our survival.

Sri G.C.Bauri, General Manager, Sodepur Area, ECL replied that about 172 million tonne coal is in reserve in Chinakuri Colliery and there is hardly any impact on environment in UG . He also told that water supply through pipeline is in progress and will be covered under the CSR programme.

Sri Jiten Mondal, member of Bejdih Colliery Corporate Safety Committee mentioned that Bejdih Colliery is the deepest UG Colliery. Earlier, subsidence was less but later on due to improper stowing, Page 2 of 4 subsidence was much higher and huts / houses got affected due to subsidence. Due to pollution fertility of the originally 2 crop lands have been affected and at present they are not even yielding a single crop. He has placed his demand for proper compensation to the affected people, adoptation of proper R & R, supply of electricity and water to the adjacent villages and improvement of the local village roads. He has given stress on intensive plantation programme and protection of environment.

Sri R.K.Tripathi, member of Pradesh Congress Committee, Sodepur area, mentioned that coal related issues have national interests. He told that Open Cast mines have adverse impact on environment. He has given stress on proper reclamation of land after completion of Open Cast mining and development of greeneries on those vacant lands for protection of environment. He also suggested for sprinkling of water on roads in and around Chinakuri Coal mines – 3 for suppression of dust. He also requested the PP to make eco­park, children’s park etc. on their vacant lands in consultation with the local administration. He further told that mine water after necessary filtration should be supplied to the local villages. Adequate CSR fund should be allocated and spent for the development of Sodepur area.

Sri Jayanta Sengupta, Barachak, Fatehpur pointed out the mistakes spelling of Barodighari and Narsamunda Collieries and their address & PIN Codes. Moreover, name of cows has been omitted from the list of domestic animals. He has also mentioned that local ponds have been dried out, there is no fishery and acute scarcity of drinking water. He has suggested for carrying out intensive plantation and repairing of adjacent damaged roads to reduce fugitive emission.

Smt. Dipali Mandal, Councillor, Ward No. 50, Municipal Corporation, has mentioned that ponds and wells of the locality have been dried, roads are adversely damaged due to plying of heavily loaded trucks / dumpers. She has requested the PP for improvement of the local roads and to construct Park, Community Hall in the locality. She further suggested to initiate for intensive plantation programme in and around the project area.

Sri Ujjal Majhi, Bejdih village told that ponds are dried and there is no pipeline water supply in the area. As a result, there is acute scarcity of water. He also mentioned that houses are affected due to subsidence for running of illegal coal mines. Appropriate steps to be taken against those illegal mines.

Sri Bikash Mukherji, Chinakuri mines – No. 3 suggested that massive plantation should be carried out on huge unused vacant lands of E.C.L.

The General Manager, E.C.L. informed that they have already planted about 3000 saplings during the last rainy season and has a proposal for plantation of 5000 fruit bearing trees in Chinakuri areas. In total they will plant 15000 saplings in that area.

Sri Bholanath Mahato, Jhunut village pointed out that during the Power Point Presentation, it was claimed that no ground water would be used in mining and ground water level was found to be okay. But in reality, the dug wells become dry during the summer season. He has further mentioned that huge dust pollution takes place due to Open Cast (OC) mining and subsidence occurs due to Under Ground (UG) mining. Moreover, blasting operation creates noise pollution. He has suggested to take up intensive plantation programme through the local people and by encouraging them for further plantation.

Sri Prasanta Dey, Chinakuri area member, Pradesh Congress Committee mentioned that in 1956, there was a contract for supply of adequate electricity and water. But there is acute scarcity of electricity and water supply, road conditions are very poor. The primary school in Chinakuri – 2 is highly affected due to dust emission for movement of sand carrying trucks. Movement of trucks should be restricted in that area and water sprinkling arrangement should be made for dust suppression.

Page 3 of 4 Sri A. Hansda, Kusummoni village pointed out that condition of local school is very poor and there is scarcity of water in the locality. Moreover, land subsidence occurs due to UG mining, which should be taken care of by the E.C.L. authority.

Md. Mustaque, member of Chinakuri – 3 Congress Committee told that no programme in Chinakuri area took place by the Environment Department, which may be due to the fact that pollution load in that area is very low. Huge dust pollution takes place due to movement of a good number of loaded trucks / dumpers on the damaged roads. No entry for the trucks / dumpers through those roads should be imposed during the school hours to save the school children from health hazards.

Sri G.C.Bauri, General Manager, Sodepur Area, E.C.L. informed that Rs.200 Crores has been allotted for Rehabilitation work. Government has been requested to expedite the matter for benefit of the affected people. He also mentioned that rehabilitation, employment, purchase of land will be done as per rules, Bore wells will be sunk in some area, filter water will be supplied to Sodepur area through pipeline. He further informed they have already planted about 3000 saplings during the last rainy season and has a proposal for plantation of 5000 fruit bearing trees in Chinakuri areas. In total they will plant 15000 saplings in that area and 2000 saplings will be planted through the Forest Department. He then thanked the audience for their participation.

Sri Debashis Sarkar, Sr. Environmental Engineer, West Bengal Pollution Control Board, suggested that project proponent should include all the issues discussed in the public hearing, in the final EIA­ EMP report.

Sri P. Biswas, Additional District Magistrate (Development), Dist. ­ Burdwan emphasized that all possible measures should be ensured by the project proponent towards the mitigation of all environmental problems and various issues raised by the people present at the public hearing. He suggested that adequate water sprinkling arrangement should be made for dust suppression. He also told that he will take up the matters with the E.C.L. authority for supply of drinking water and subsidence. He assured the audience that the proceedings of this public hearing shall be duly forwarded to the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India for their decision and further expressed his gratitude to the audience for their active participation in this public hearing procedure.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ ­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­ Sri Debashis Sarkar, Sri P. Biswas, Senior Environmental Engineer, Additional District Magistrate (Dev.), West Bengal Pollution Control Board Dist. – Burdwan

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