Guwahati: The Justice (Retd) B P Katakey committee has recommended a drastic measure to curb illegal coal mining in South West Khasi Hills, Meghalaya by using explosives to seal the entrance to abandoned mines.
This proposal aims to prevent the reactivation of these mines, which pose a significant challenge to district authorities due to the difficulty in regular inspection and monitoring.
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The suggestion was made in the committee’s 25th Interim Report, submitted to the Meghalaya High Court.
The court has instructed the state government to take immediate action, citing concerns over countless abandoned coal mines that could be easily reopened.
The Katakey committee proposed using explosives to seal abandoned mine entrances, preventing illegal mining activities.
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Along with this, the North East Space Applications Centre (NESAC) said it faced challenges in conducting a satellite survey of coal-bearing areas due to the unavailability of high-resolution Indian satellites.
The state government has yet to implement the recommended Smart Integrated Check Gates in Borsora, Bagli, and Cherragoan due to location issues.
The High Court suggested identifying designated routes for coal transporters, with failure to comply resulting in coal seizure.
The Meghalaya High Court has scheduled the next hearing for December 2, directing the state government to provide updates on the actions taken regarding these recommendations.