Shillong, January 28: Justice BP Katakey (retired), appointed by the Meghalaya High Court to lead the committee on coal transportation, has stressed the importance of aerial surveys to ascertain whether coal beyond the inventoried stock is still available and to determine if illegal mining and transportation continue despite the National Green Tribunal (NGT) ban, upheld by the Supreme Court.
The state government has engaged a private agency to carry out these surveys, which are already in progress. A final report, including detailed maps, is expected by February 28.
Speaking to the media after chairing a meeting, Justice Katakey remarked, “The aerial survey is very important in my view. The government has entrusted this task to a private agency, whose representatives participated in today’s proceedings. They have begun work, and I have directed them to submit their final report, along with maps, by February 28.”
Justice Katakey further disclosed that the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency (MBDA) has been authorized to conduct aerial surveys in six locations within the South West Khasi Hills district. “In respect of the South West Khasi Hills district, the Meghalaya Basin Development Agency has been authorized by the government to conduct the aerial survey in six locations to identify mine openings and quantify the coal available. They have completed the survey and will submit their report to me by Friday this week,” he said.
While some mining plans have been approved by the Government of India under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, legal mining operations are yet to commence in Meghalaya. “In today’s meeting, we discussed the various steps taken by the government to implement the Supreme Court’s directives on stopping illegal mining activities. Earlier, I had directed the government to conduct aerial surveys of five districts—East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, West Khasi Hills, South Garo Hills, and East Garo Hills—to identify any coal beyond the inventoried stock and assess ongoing illegal mining and transportation despite the NGT ban,” Justice Katakey explained.
He reiterated, “Legal mining, which is permitted under the 1957 Act, has not yet started in Meghalaya, although a few mining plans have been approved by the Government of India. Therefore, any mining or transportation happening in the state as of today is illegal.”
The committee is actively investigating unaccounted coal reserves and monitoring compliance with the NGT and Supreme Court directives to prevent illegal mining and transportation activities in the state.