THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES & MINERALS
(SMT. RITA VERMA)
(a) & (b): During the last 3 years there have been two
instances of fire in coal washeries of BCCL. Details and
causes of these fires are as under:
(i) At Bhojudih washery, on 6-5-98 there was a minor fire
in starter board in electrical control room. The cause
of fire was short circuit in the control panel of the
starter board.
(ii) At Madhuban Washery, fire broke out after 10.30 P.M.
on 10-12-1998 in the main raw coal feed conveyors (902
A&B). As a result of this fire, the belt conveyors 902
A&B were completely burnt and major portion of the
conveyor gantry collapsed. A committee which enquired
into the cases of the fire has found that the most
probable reason for the fire was the heat generated due
to the friction between rollers and conveyor belting on
account of jamming of rollers resulting in ignition of
coal dust.
(c): The estimated loss is estimated at Rs. 166 Lakhs in
Madhuban washery involving the gantries including civil,
structural, mechanical and electrical equipment. There
was practically no loss at Bhojudih washery. In
addition, there was loss of production at Madhuban
washery for 245 days and at Bhojudih washery for 1 ½
days.
(d) & (e): A committee was constituted to inquire into
the accident of Madhuban washery. The committee held
that most probably the reason for fire was ignition of
coal dust accumulated in the conveyor gantries. Heavy
deposition of coal dust between idlers and conveyor
belting would have caught fire due to friction developed
between the moving belts and idlers. The fire in the
coal dust must have spread below the conveyor. After
stoppage of belting, the belting would have caught fire
from the coal dust, which was already under fire. With
the heating, whole steel structure would have buckled
under load and collapsed along with the trestles carrying
the conveyor gantry. The fire would have further
compounded with burning of two numbers of conveyor
belting. The committee held seven officers responsible
for the incident. Disciplinary action has been initiated
against all these seven officers.
The committee also suggested the following remedial
measures to avoid such mishap.
(i) Proper cleaning of machineries and its surroundings.
(ii) Maintenance of records regarding cleaning.
(iii) Dust suppression by creation of water mist.
(iv) Installation of dust extraction system.
(v) Special attention to be paid to inspect places
where oil is likely to drip.
(vi) Fixation of skirt boards to avoid spillage.
(vii) installation of fire detection devices.
(viii) Installation of fire extinguishers.
(ix) Upkeep of fire tenders and internal fire fighting
system in the plant.
(x) Use of fire resistance belting.
(xi) Display of sign boards showing periodicity of
cleaning.
(xii) Proper elimination.
(xiii) Well structure organisation chart for entire
washery organisation.
(f) & (g): The work of construction of Madhuban washery
on turn key basis was awarded to M/s. Mining & Allied
Machinery Corporation Ltd. A public sector undertaking
in December, 1985 & MAMC was supposed to complete the
washery by December, 1988. As per RCE(93) this was to be
completed by March, 1995 but the work could not be
completed within the revised stipulated time due to
following reasons:
(1) Delay in placement of order for imported and
indigenous equipment by MAMC.
(2) Delay in submission of GA drawing by MAMC.
(3) Delay in completion of construction and commissioning
of plant by MAMC.
(4) Delay in availability of forest land, which affected
the works at cross country conveyors.
(5) Inadequate resource mobilisation by M/s. MAMC and its
sub-contractors.
(6) Precarious financial condition of MAMC and non
engagement of sufficient agencies with required manpower
by MAMC.
(7) Some individuals claimed ownership of the land handed
over to BCCL by Forest Department, Govt. of Bihar in
October, 1985. The matter is sub-judice in the court of
law.
