(a) whether transportation of coal in uncovered vehicles is a major contributor to pollution levels and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is taking any steps to mandate the use of covered vehicles for transportation of coal and if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the steps taken by the Government to ensure that coal transportation does not contribute to pollution especially in urban areas?
MINISTER OF COAL AND RAILWAYS
( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
(a) & (b): Covered trucks prevent spillage of coal. Only in the event, when uncovered trucks are loaded over the brim level, lead to spillage of coal at the curves of Haul roads which gets crushed with the tyre and become airborne. In order to mandate the use of covered vehicles for transportation of coal, Ministry of Environment and Forest & Climate Change (MOEF&CC) while granting Environmental Clearance (EC) includes evacuation of coal in covered trucks in the general condition of permission. Further, Consent to Operate (CTO) under Air Act 1981, issued by State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB), also gives this condition for prevention of air pollution.
(c): The Government stipulates general and specific conditions in EC and Consents under air pollution to ensure the control of dust emissions. In addition to this, following steps are taken by Coal India Limited and its subsidiaries to control dust pollution due to coal transportation:
i) Deployment of mobile sprinklers along haul roads to control dust generated by truck movement and dumpers. Optimum loading of coal trucks to avoid spillage on roads.
ii) Blacktopping, strengthening of coal transportation roads regularly and scientifically.
iii) Plantation in the mining activity areas, along roads to create green belts in and around the mines. Plantation along avenues are also being carried out.
iv) Transportation of Coal to thermal power stations by rail / series of belt conveyors. Railway sidings are constructed to make rail head available nearer to mine to reduce road transportation.
v) Construction of integrated Coal Handling Plant (CHP) for rapid loading wagon and trucks.
vi) Adoption of tube conveyors for transportation of coal to thermal power plant in an environment friendly way.
vii) Monitoring of ambient air quality in and around the mine site fortnightly as per Environment (Protection) Act, 2006.
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