Executive Summary:
This document responds to questions raised in Lok Sabha Starred Question No. 56 regarding modernisation of coal mine safety regulations. It outlines steps taken by the Indian government to modernize safety regulations, ensure worker safety and welfare, prevent mining accidents, and promote community participation. The response details specific actions, including amendments to regulations, implementation of safety measures, and the role of the National Coal Mine Safety Report Portal.
Key Points / Main Content:
Modernisation of Coal Mine Safety Regulations:
* The Coal Mines Regulations 1957 were amended, resulting in the Coal Mines Regulations 2017 (CMR 2017), to reflect advancements in mining methods and technologies.
* CMR 2017 has been uniformly enforced across all coal mines in India, emphasizing risk-based safety management and worker protection.
Worker Safety and Welfare Measures:
* The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) administers the Mines Act, 1952, and associated rules through legislation, inspections, accident investigations, and risk management plans.
* Coal companies implement modern safety measures, including Site Specific Risk Assessment, safety training, mine safety inspections, safety audits, strata management, and mine environment monitoring.
* Specific safety measures are in place for both Opencast and Underground mines, including technology adoption and emergency response plans.
* Coal PSUs provide statutory and voluntary facilities to ensure the welfare of workers, including medical and educational support.
Action Plan to Prevent Mine Accidents:
* Adoption of Self-Regulation: Implementation of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA) based Safety Management Plans (SMPs).
* Risk-Based SOPs: Formulation and enforcement of risk-based Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all mining activities.
* Blast-Free, Eco-Friendly Safe Mining Technologies: Introduction of advanced mass production technologies (MPT).
* Mechanized Strata Control: Deployment of mechanized drilling and resin capsule-based roof bolting.
* Real-Time Safety Monitoring: Integration of mine surveillance systems using Integrated Command and Control Centers (ICCCs).
* Traffic Safety: Implementation of GPS-enabled Operator Independent Truck Dispatch Systems (OITDS) with geofencing.
* Modernisation of Training: Simulator-based training for HEMM operators and Virtual Reality (VR) for safety training.
* Modern and Advanced Dust Suppression: Deployment of advanced dust control technologies.
* Use of Digitalization and AI-based Analytics: Leveraging digital tools for predictive risk management.
National Coal Mine Safety Report Portal:
* The NCMSR Portal collects and analyses data on mine accidents and safety audits.
* It enables trend analysis for early identification of high-risk areas and unsafe practices.
* The portal provides access to accident and safety audit data for timely interventions and improvements.
Sneh Milan Mela Initiative:
* Sneh Milan Mela promotes community participation and cooperation in coal mining areas.
* It focuses on drug de-addiction and social awareness through voluntary participation of employees, their families, and the local public.
Safety Efforts in Singrauli Coalfields:
* Safety efforts have been made for workers in the coal mines of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL) in Singrauli Coalfields.
* Details of the steps taken for the safety of workers are as per the details provided in the answer to part b.
Impact Analysis:
Coal Mine Workers:
* Impact: Increased safety through modernized regulations, improved safety measures, better training, and welfare facilities.
* Action Required: Adherence to updated safety protocols, participation in training programs, and utilization of available welfare facilities.
Coal Mine Management:
* Impact: Requirement to implement and enforce the updated Coal Mines Regulations 2017 and adopt modern safety measures.
* Action Required: Implement risk-based safety management, conduct safety audits, provide training, and utilize the National Coal Mine Safety Report Portal.
Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS):
* Impact: Responsibility for administering the Mines Act, 1952, and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.
* Action Required: Develop and enforce legislation, conduct inspections, investigate accidents, and promote awareness activities.
Communities in Coal Mining Areas:
* Impact: Promotion of social awareness and community bonding through initiatives like Sneh Milan Mela.
* Action Required: Active participation in community programs and cooperation with coal mine authorities to enhance safety and social well-being.
Key Entities Referenced
Chhattisgarh: A state in India with coal mining operations, mentioned in the context of modernizing coal mine safety regulations.
Coal Mines Regulations 2017 (CMR 2017): Amended regulations framed under the Mines Act, 1952, to reflect progress in mining methods, mechanization, and emerging technologies. Emphasizes risk-based safety management and worker protection.
Mines Act, 1952: Governs all coal mines in India, administered by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) through legislation, inspections, and risk management plans.
Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS): Administers the Mines Act, 1952, by developing legislation, conducting inspections, investigating accidents, and formulating risk management plans.
National Coal Mine Safety Report (NCMSR) Portal: A centralized platform for collecting and analyzing data on mine accidents and safety audits, enabling trend analysis and timely interventions.
South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL): A Coal India Limited subsidiary that arranged Sneh Milan Mela, a program focusing on drug deaddiction and social awareness.
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL): A subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) operating in Singrauli Coalfields.
Singrauli Coalfields: Location where efforts have been made for the safety of workers working in the coal mines of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL).
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF COAL
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 56
TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025
Modernisation of Coal Mine Safety Regulations
†*56. Dr. Prashant Yadaorao Padole:
Shri Janardan Mishra:
Will the Minister of Coal be pleased to state:
(a) the steps taken by the Government to modernise coal mine safety regulations in
the country including Chhattisgarh;
(b) the details of measures taken to ensure safety and welfare of workers;
(c) the details of action plan being formulated to prevent deaths of coal workers in
mining accidents;
(d) the impact of launch of National Coal Mine Safety Report Portal regarding the
conduct and monitoring of safety audits of coal mines;
(e) the manners in which Sneh Milan Mela initiative promotes community participation
and cooperation in coal mining areas; and
(f) whether any efforts have been made for the safety of workers working in the coal
mines operating in Singrauli and if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF COAL & MINES
(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
*****STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (f) OF THE LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 56 TO BE ANSWERED ON 23.07.2025 ASKED
BY DR. PRASHANT YADAORAO PADOLE, HON’BLE MP AND SHRI JANARDAN
MISHRA HON’BLE MP REGARDING ‘MODERNISATION OF COAL MINE SAFETY
REGULATIONS’.
(a): The steps taken by the Government to modernise coal mine safety regulations in
the country including Chhattisgarh are as follows:
(i) The Coal Mines Regulations - 1957 framed under Section 57 of the Mines Act,
1952, were comprehensively amended to reflect progress in mining methods,
mechanization, and application of emerging technologies. Taking into account the
evolving nature of coal mining operations and the need for enhanced safety standards,
the Coal Mines Regulations, 2017, were suitably amended and notified in the official
Gazette by the concerned department of Central Government in the month of
November 2017.
(ii) These updated, amended regulations, i.e. CMR 2017, have been uniformly
enforced across all coal mines in India, ushering in a modernized framework that
emphasizes risk-based safety management, worker protection, and the integration of
contemporary advanced mining technologies.
(b): All coal mines are governed by the Mines Act, 1952, and rules, regulations framed
thereunder. The Mines Act, 1952 is administered by the Directorate General of Mines
Safety (DGMS) by way of the development of suitable legislations, rules, regulations,
standards and guidelines, inspections, investigation of accidents, awareness
activities, and formulating risk management plans.
Apart from compliance of the statutory provisions under the Mines Act, 1952, the
Mines Rules- 1955, the Coal Mine Regulations- 2017 and Bye Laws & Standing Order
framed there under, the following steps are being taken to reduce the occurrence of
such accidents in mines. Coal companies also administer mines through the
modernised safety measures viz, Preparation and implementation of Site Specific
Risk Assessment, Training on Mine Safety, Mine Safety Inspection, Conducting
Safety Audit of mines, Adoption of the state-of-the art mechanism for Strata
Management and Monitoring of mine environment. Additionally, specific safety
measures for Opencast and Underground mines are as under:
(i) Opencast Mines - Use of eco-friendly Surface Miners for blast-free safe
mining, Mine-specific Traffic Rules, Training on Simulators to HEMM
operators, Dumpers with Proximity Warning Devices, Camera, Audio-Visual Alarm
(AVA), Automatic Fire Detection & Suppression system, Geo-fencing in some large
OCPs, High mast towers for increasing lighting and Integrated Command and Control
Centres (ICCC).
(ii). Underground mines - Elimination of basket loading by introducing semi-
mechanized technology, replacing the cement capsules with resin capsules for an
effective roof control system, introduction of Continuous Miner technology,
and Emergency Response & Evacuation Plans (ER & EP).The following measures are taken to ensure welfare of workers in coal mines by Coal
PSUs: -
1. Statutory facilities such as Canteen, Rest shelter facility, Creche, drinking water
facilities, conservancies, Pit head baths etc.
2. Voluntary facilities of providing Township & Clubs, Housing facilities,
Cooperative societies etc.
3. Medical facilities through its hospitals and dispensaries.
4. Education facilities by means of financing the schools in its mining areas.
(c): The following action plans have been formulated to prevent mine accidents and to
improve the safety standards in coal mines:
1. Adoption of Self-Regulation: Implemented a structured approach to safety
through the formulation of Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment (HIRA)-
based Safety Management Plans (SMPs), fostering a culture of proactive risk
management.
2. Risk-Based SOPs: Formulated and enforced risk-based Standard Operating
Procedures (SOPs) for all mining and associated activities to standardize safe
work practices and reduce operational hazards.
3. Blast-Free, Eco-Friendly Safe Mining Technologies: Introduced advanced
mass production technologies (MPT) such as Continuous Miners in
underground mines, Surface Miners and Vero-Rippers in opencast mines, and
High Wall Mining in hybrid mines to ensure safer, cleaner, and more efficient
operations.
4. Mechanized Strata Control: Deployed mechanized drilling and resin capsule-
based roof bolting, supplemented with instrumentation, to ensure robust and
scientifically managed strata control.
5. Real-Time Safety Monitoring: Strengthened safety oversight through
integration of mine surveillance systems using Integrated Command and
Control Centers (ICCCs) for continuous monitoring and rapid response.
6. Improved Mine Atmosphere Analysis: Utilized gas chromatographs to
enhance the precision and reliability of mine air sample analysis.
7. Traffic Safety: Formulated and enforced COPs for transport plying inside
mines. Also implemented GPS-enabled Operator Independent Truck Dispatch
Systems (OITDS) with geo-fencing, improving haulage efficiency and
minimizing human error.
8. Modernisation of Training: Enhanced 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.
9. Modern and Advanced Dust Suppression: Deployed advanced dust control
technologies, including fog cannons and mist spray systems, to minimize
airborne particulate exposure and improve air quality.
10. Use of Digitalization and AI-based Analytics: Leveraged digital tools and
data analytics to support predictive risk management, informed decision-making, and the creation of a safer, smarter, and more sustainable mining
ecosystem.
11. Integrated control and command centres have been established.
(d): The National Coal Mine Safety Report (NCMSR) Portal plays a crucial role in
enhancing mine safety by serving as a centralized platform for collecting and
analysing data on mine accidents and mine safety audits. The NCMSR portal enables
trend analysis of reported accidents, allowing for the early identification of potential
high-risk areas and unsafe practices.
The NCMSR Portal provides company authorities, an access to accident and mine
safety audit data, enabling timely interventions to enhance safety standards in mines
and take appropriate measures for improvement of standards of mine safety.
(e): The Bhatgaon Area of South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) had arranged
small localized program named “Sneh Milan Mela” under the theme “Nasha Mukti”,
focussing on drug de-addiction and social awareness among the worker and families
through voluntary participation of employees, their families and local public solely for
entertainment purpose with awareness on a social cause building social bonding
among employees through their participation by installing food stalls and
entertainment stalls build on no profit-no loss system and neither any financial grant
nor any fund was raised for the said program, rather the said program was organised
by the voluntary involvement of employees and their families for the sole purpose of
community togetherness.
(f): Efforts have been made for the safety of workers working in the coal mines of
Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), a subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), spread in
Singrauli Coalfields. Details of the steps taken for the safety of workers are given in
the above reply of part (b).
******