Parliament Question: Impact of Coal Mining on Environment

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1797 ANSWERED ON 29.07.2026 IMPACT OF COAL MINING ON ENVIRONMENT 1797. Md. Rakibul Hussain: Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of coal mining on the environment in Assam and if so, the details thereof; (b) the number of coal mines that are operating in compliance with environmental norms in the said State; (c) whether any coal mine has been penalised for violation of such norms and if so, the details thereof; and (d) the measures being taken by the Government to reduce air and water pollution arising from coal mining activities? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a): The environmental impact of coal mining is assessed before commencement of any such project through an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP), as part of the statutory environmental clearance process. In Assam, the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Environmental Management Plan (EMP) have been prepared for the ongoing Tikak Extension Opencast Project (0.2 MTPA) and the upcoming Tirap Opencast Project (0.6 MTPA) of North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), a wing of Coal India Limited under the Ministry of Coal. Further, regular monitoring of ambient air quality, water quality (including effluent, drinking and runoff water) and noise levels is carried out through Government-approved laboratories to assess the environmental impact of mining operations. (b): Currently, NEC has only one operating mine i.e Tikak Extension OCP (0.2 MTPA) and the same is operating in compliance with environmental norms. (c): No penalty has been imposed on the operating mine i.e. Tikak Extension OCP for violation of environmental norms. (d): To control air and water pollution arising from coal mining activities, the Government has established a comprehensive regulatory framework under the provisions of the 1Environment (Protection) Act, 1986; the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981; and the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Central Government has devised the process of Environmental Impact Assessment, as a regulatory tool under the provisions of Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Under the said Act, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has notified the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006 which deals with the process of granting Environmental Clearance (EC) after having comprehensive analysis of EIA reports prepared by the coal companies. The respective SPCBs/PCCs issue Consent to Operate under the provisions of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 to oversee the compliance of emissions/ effluent standards and take action against violators under the provisions of Water and Air Acts. In North Eastern Coalfields (NEC), measures undertaken to control pollution include controlled blasting, fixed water sprinklers at coal sidings, deployment of water tankers for dust suppression on haul roads, use of tarpaulin-covered trucks, wet drilling, regular maintenance of mining equipment and vehicles, periodic environmental monitoring, and plantation activities. To prevent water pollution, effluent treatment facilities, neutralization-cum- sedimentation tanks, oil and grease traps, siltation ponds, earthen garland drains, and regular monitoring of effluent quality have been put in place. ***** 2