Parliament Question: Imported coal handling in harbour areas

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.1809 ANSWERED ON 09.03.2026 IMPORTED COAL HANDLING IN HARBOUR AREAS 1809: SHRI SADANAND MHALU SHET TANAVADE Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: a. number of harbours in the country where coal is being imported and the volume of coal handled at each harbour, State-wise details; b. measures taken by Government to ensure safe and efficient transportation of imported coal from harbours to inland-destinations State-wise details; c. initiatives undertaken to minimize-pollution and environmental impact during coal- transportation and handling at harbours; d. number and nature of complaints received from residents or authorities regarding coal import, handling or transportation in harbour areas, State-wise and the details of actions taken to resolve them; and e. safety-measures implemented to protect residents living in and around harbour areas where coal is imported? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a): The details of harbours where coal is being imported and the volume of coal handled at each harbour, State-wise is given below:- Overseas Coal Unloaded at State Maritime Board/ UTs during 2024-25 (Provisional) S. No. Name of the State (In thousand Tonnes) 1 Gujarat 77,467 2 Maharashtra 12,787 3 Puducherry 6,020 4 Andhra Pradesh 35,262 5 Odisha 21,438 Total 1,52,974 Source: State Maritime Boards/UTs Overseas Coal Unloaded at Major Ports during 2024-25 (Provisional) S. No. Name of the Major Ports (In thousand Tonnes) 1 SMP Kolkata 8,787 1 (i) Kolkata Dock System 625 1 (ii) Haldia Dock Complex 8,162 2 Paradip Port Authority 10,6313 Vishakhapatnam Port Authority 6,006 4 Kamarajar Port Limited 8,818 5 V.O.Chidambaranar Port Authority 1,041 6 New Mangalore Port Authority 7,052 7 Mormugoa Port Authority 7,500 8 Mumbai Port Authority 6,624 9 Deendayal Port authority 16,995 Total 82,24l Source: Major Ports, Ministry of Port, Shipping & Waterways (b): The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification, 2006, and the Environmental Clearance conditions issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for ports and harbour projects require project proponents to prepare and implement detailed traffic management and traffic decongestion plans based on cumulative impact assessment within a 5 km radius of the project area. Adequate road infrastructure, internal transport systems, parking spaces, and covered transportation mechanisms are required to ensure safe movement of cargo. Further, conditions mandate covered conveyors or covered trucks for bulk cargo handling, wheel washing facilities, paved internal roads, and controlled material transfer points, along with monitoring and compliance reporting to regulatory authorities to ensure efficient and safe evacuation of cargo from port premises. (c): Environmental Clearances granted for port and harbour projects prescribe several pollution prevention and mitigation measures. These include storage of coal and other bulk cargo under covered sheds equipped with automated sprinkling systems, installation of dust suppression systems, fogging arrangements, and high-efficiency dust extraction systems at unloading, transfer and stacking points. The EC conditions also require continuous ambient air quality monitoring (including PM10, PM2.5, SO₂ and NOx), 24×7 online monitoring systems linked with Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)/ State Pollution Control Board (SPCB) servers, and regular environmental audits. In addition, green belt development around storage yards, use of silt curtains during dredging, prevention of oil spills, proper waste management, and treatment of effluents are mandated to minimize environmental impacts during cargo handling and port operations. (d): No such complaints have been received so far. (e): The environmental clearance framework requires port projects to implement multiple safeguards to protect nearby communities. These include development of green belts using native species to act as pollution buffers, installation of air pollution control systems for dust-generating activities, and regular monitoring of ambient air quality within and outside the port area. Additional safeguards include storm water management systems, oil spill contingency plans, disaster management and emergency response plans, and compliance with safety standards during construction and operation. Project proponents are also required to implement public consultation commitments, occupational health and safety measures, and periodic environmental monitoring reports, which are submitted to regulatory authorities to ensure that port operations do not adversely affect residents living in nearby areas. ****