Proceedings of Public Hearing of M/S. ECL Cluster
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PROCEEDINGS OF THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR THE PROPOSED CLUSTER ± 12 COMPRISING OF 19 MINES OF PRODUCTION CAPACITY 27.16 MTPA WITH A PEAK PRODUCTION CAPACITY OF 31.83 MTPA IN A COMBINED ML AREA OF 14,047 Ha LOCATED IN RANIGANJ COALFIELDS, TEHSIL ± HARIPUR BLOCK, DIST. ± BURDWAN, WEST BENGAL, PROPOSED BY M/S EASTERN COALFIELDS LIMITED, HELD ON 07.03.2014 AT 12:00 HRS. AT ªHARIPUR COMMUNITY HALLº AT CHATADANGA, OPPOSITE OF HARIPUR GRAM PANCHAYAT OFFICE, 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 Cluster-12 (19 Mines of production capacity 27.16 MTPA with a peak production of 31.83 MTPA in a combined ML area of 14,047 Ha) in Raniganj Coalfields, Tehsil ± Haripur Block, Dist. ± Burdwan, West Bengal. As per the EIA Notification S.O. 1533 dated 14th 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 07.03.2014 at 12:00 Hrs. at ªHaripur Community Hallº at Chatadanga, opposite of Haripur Gram Panchayat Office, Dist.- Burdwan, West Bengal. All the panel members were present in the hearing. Sri Pranab 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 Shouvik Ganguly, 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 Cluster-12 (19 Mines of production capacity 27.16 MTPA with a peak production of 31.83 MTPA in a combined ML area of 14,047 Ha) in Raniganj Coalfields, Tehsil ± Haripur Block, Dist. ± Burdwan, West Bengal in Raniganj Coalfields , Dist. ± Burdwan, West Bengal. Sri Pranab 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 Sumanta Ganguly 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.12, 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 mentioned that Cluster 12 consists of 19 Mines (14 existing UG mines, 2 Mixed existing mines, 1 existing OC mine and proposed 2 UG mines) in four areas under Pandabeshwar Area, Sonepur Bazari Area, Jhanjra Area and Bankola Area. Out of the existing 14 UG mines, OC patches have been proposed with 7 UG mines, namely Pandabeswar UG, South Samla UG, Madhaipur UG, Samla UG, Kumardih-A UG, Kumardih -B UG and Bankola UG. He mentioned about the list of mines (existing mines as well as the proposed 2 new UG mines and incorporation of new 7 OC patches in existing UG mines, their production capacities and mine life. Page 1 of 4 Sri Sumanta Ganguly further mentioned that the solid wastes generated due to mining activity will be disposed off in environment friendly manner. He told that cultivable land will be kept undisturbed, only barren land will be used for mining purposes. It was also informed that the wastewater generated during mining process will be reused for mining and will be utilised for agricultural, dust suppression and 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 (@Rs.5 per Tonne of coal mining) 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 Narottam Mondal, Sonepur village placed his demand for employment of the local unemployed youths in Sonepur Bazari Colliery. He also pointed out that there is huge dust pollution in the locality and requested the PP for adequate water sprinkling arrangement for dust suppression. Sri Asit Mondal, Khottadih village told that lot of huts / houses got cracked / damaged due to vibration generated from mine blasting and requested the concerned G.M. of Pandabeshwar area to take care of the same. He also requested the PP for arrangement of water supply through pipelines in Shyamla G.P. area and fencing around the mining area to ensure safety of the local villagers & animals. He suggested that OB dump should be utilized for back filling of mine cavity and gave stress on dust suppression & development of intensive greeneries. He further requested that CSR fund should be utilized for development of areas under Shyamla G.P. He, however, welcomed the proposed project. Sri Chirantan Chattopaddhay, Nabogram village told that a good number of huts / houses got cracked / damaged due to vibration generated from mine blasting & there is excessive dust due to mining and plying of coal carrying dumpers and requested the PP to take care of the same. He suggested to construct Children's park after reclamation of OCP area. He demanded for arrangement of street lighting and water supply in Kumardihi and Nabogram villages. He has given stress on intensive plantation programme and protection of environment. Sri Laltu Goswami, Nabogram village and Sri Pinaki Nayek, Banogram village told that industry is required for development of area. They placed their demand for arrangement of street lighting, water supply and playground in their area. Sri Nadia Dhibar of village Chhora and member, Burdwan Zilla Parishad pointed out that road condition is very poor and there is air pollution due to running of coal loaded dumpers and spillage of coal during transit. He informed that the matter has already been brought to the knowledge of the ECL authority but didn't get co-operation from them. He demanded for arrangement of pipeline water supply to every village of the area. Sri Shyama Deogheria, Haripur village mentioned that condition of road of NH-60 after Pandabeshwar is very poor, that should be repaired immediately. Sri Baidyanath Sadhu, Jhajra village placed his demand for proper utilisation of CSR fund towards arrangement of water supply, repairing of roads, solar street lighting, plantation of fruit-bearing trees, providing transport facility for school students, medical camp. He opined that land losers should be given proper compensation as quickly as possible. He also requested the PP to consider land losers and local unemployed youths for employment. Sri Sadhan Mondal, Gourbazar village requested the PP to take initiative for repairing of local village roads, school and hospital. Page 2 of 4 Sri Nirmal Kr. Pan on behalf of the Pradhan, Laudoha Gram Panchayat told that from the Power Point Presentation by the PP for the proposed project he came to know that no additional land will be required for the proposed expansion project, but he couldn't understand the logic / reason. He raised questions regarding land use in the expansion of the existing project. He apprehended that Biodiversity of the area will be adversely affected and there will have possibility of depletion of ground water level. He also mentioned that unfortunately villagers of Jhajra village are not getting water from Jhajra water supply project of PHE. He requested to extend the water supply area of the said project upto Jhajra village. He informed that plantation programme taken by the Jhajra water supply project authority is satisfactory and the environment is also good, these should be maintained. He further suggested that affected areas due to mining should be brought under CSR programme of ECL. Sri Ganesh Kabiraj, Bilpahari village told that there is huge dust pollution in Bilpahari village, road condition is very poor, scarcity of water. These should be taken care of. He thanked the audience for their participation. Sri Prahlad Kr. Saha, Upa-Pradhan, Kendua Gram Panchayat mentioned that this area is dependent on ECL. He pointed out that road condition is very poor, huge dust emission due to plying of dumpers & other vehicles, scarcity of water. He requested the ECL authority to look into these matters. Sri Ashis Karmakar, Pradhan, Ukhra G.P. pointed out that there is huge dust pollution due to plying of dumpers & other vehicles and scarcity of water particularly during summer. He suggested that mine water of Shyamsundarpur Colliery after treatment can be utilised for different purposes. He also suggested plantation on OCP after reclamation, which will reduce dust pollution. He thanked the audience for their active participation. Sri Haradhan Mukherjee, G.M., Sonepur Bazari, ECL told that ECL has taken up a R & D project in collaboration with C.M.E.R.I., Durgapur to minimise the obnoxious gas emission from the dumpers.