Parliament Question: Accidents in Coal Mines

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4211 ANSWERED ON 18.03.2026 Accidents in Coal Mines †4211. Dr. Rajkumar Sangwan: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) the details of the number of accidents occurred in coal mines during the last four years and the current year, year and State-wise; (b) the steps taken by the Government to reduce the incidence of accidents in coal mine sites; and (c) the details of funds allocated for the protection and security of workers in coal mines during the said period? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL & MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a): The State-wise details of accidents and fatality in coal mines during calendar year 2022-2026 are given in the Annexure. (b): The Parliament has enacted the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020, which has been enforced with effect from 21.11.2025. It regulates working conditions and workplace environments to safeguard the health, safety, and well-being of workers, including mine workers. Further, the following steps have been taken to prevent fatalities and reduce the incidence of accidents in coal mines, thereby improving overall safety standards: i. Adoption of Self-Regulation: Formulation of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment-based Safety Management Plans (SMPs), fostering a culture of proactive risk management. ii. Risk-Based Standard Operating Procedures (SOP): Formulation and enforcement of risk-based SOP for mining and associated activities to standardize safe work practices and reduce operational hazards. iii. Blast-Free, Eco-Friendly Safe Mining Technologies: Adoption of blast free production technologies on a large scale such as Surface Miners in opencast mines; Continuous Miners in underground mines and High Wall Mining in hybrid mines to ensure safer, cleaner, and more efficient operations. 1iv. Mechanised Strata Control: Deployment of mechanised drilling and resin capsule-based roof bolting, supplemented with instrumentation, to ensure robust and scientifically managed strata control. v. Real-Time Safety Monitoring: Strengthening safety oversight through integration of mine surveillance systems using Integrated Command and Control Centres (ICCC) for continuous monitoring and rapid response. vi. Improved Mine Atmosphere Analysis: Utilization of gas chromatographs to enhance precision and reliability of mine air sample analysis. vii. Traffic Safety: Formulation and enforcement of COPs for transport plying inside mines. Also implemented GPS-enabled Operator Independent Truck Dispatch Systems with geo-fencing, improving haulage efficiency and minimising human error. viii. Modernisation of Training: Enhancement of operator skill and safety awareness through simulator-based training for HEMM operators and the use of Virtual Reality (VR) for immersive, scenario-based safety training. ix. Modern and Advanced Dust Suppression: Deployment of advanced dust control technologies, including fog cannons and mist spray systems, to minimise airborne particulate exposure and improve air quality. x. Use of Digitalisation and AI-based Analytics: Leveraging digital tools and data analytics to support predictive risk management, informed decision- making, and creation of a safer, smarter, and more sustainable mining ecosystem. (c): The funds allocated for protection and security of workers in coal mines during the last four financial years & current financial year by CIL, SCCL and NLCIL are as follows:- Financial Year Funds allocated (in crore rupees) 2021-22 961.63 2022-23 1072.33 2023-24 1183.10 2024-25 1208.34 2025-26 1064.97 2Annexure The State-wise details of accidents and fatality in coal mines during the calendar year 2022-2026. Name of No of Fatal No of Serious Seriously Year Fatality State Accidents Accidents Injured Chhattisgarh 4 4 19 20 Gujarat 0 0 1 1 2022 Jharkhand 7 8 16 17 Madhya 6 7 18 18 Pradesh Maharashtra 0 0 9 11 Odisha 0 0 4 4 Rajasthan 0 0 1 1 Tamil Nadu 0 0 1 1 Telangana 5 7 102 107 Uttar Pradesh 0 0 1 1 West Bengal 2 2 9 9 Chhattisgarh 2 2 12 13 Gujarat 0 0 2 2 2023 Jharkhand 11 12 16 18 Madhya 3 3 5 5 Pradesh Maharashtra 3 3 2 2 Odisha 6 8 1 4 Tamil Nadu 1 1 0 0 Telangana 6 6 67 67 Uttar Pradesh 1 1 8 12 West Bengal 5 5 4 7 2024 Chhattisgarh 6 6 10 10 Gujarat 1 1 1 1 Jharkhand 3 3 6 7 Madhya Pradesh 9 11 6 11 3Maharashtra 2 2 4 4 Odisha 3 3 2 2 Tamil Nadu 2 2 2 2 Telangana 7 8 86 86 Uttar Pradesh 1 1 0 0 West Bengal 4 12 2 3 Chhattisgarh 7 8 6 8 Gujarat 0 0 1 1 2025* Jharkhand 15 22 12 14 Madhya 4 6 9 10 Pradesh Maharashtra 2 2 8 8 Odisha 4 4 3 3 Telangana 3 3 78 80 Uttar Pradesh 2 2 1 1 West Bengal 5 5 0 0 Chhattisgarh 1 1 0 0 2026* Jharkhand 0 0 2 2 Madhya 3 3 1 1 Pradesh Maharashtra 0 0 1 1 Odisha 1 1 1 1 Telangana 1 1 5 5 West Bengal 1 1 0 0 *Data for the years 2025 and 2026 are provisional. ***** 4