(a) whether the Apex Monitoring Committee headed by the
Chairman of Coal India Ltd. declared 40 sites in
Asansol Sub-Division in West Bengal as unsafe for human
habitation in 1990 because of the vacuum created by
illegal mining;
(b) if so, the steps taken for stabilization, shifting and
rehabilitation;
(c) whether a large stretch of land near GT Road in Benali
caved-in on 28th January, 2000; and
(d) if so, the steps taken or proposed to be taken by the
Government for the above fall outs?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR MINES & MINERALS
SMT. RITA VERMA
(a): The Apex Monitoring Committee constituted by the
Chairman, CIL and headed by Shri H.B. Ghose Ex-CMD, CMPDI
carried out the study of the available details between 1990-
92 in respect of the unstable areas in Raniganj coalfield
and listed 49 locations which were considered to be unstable
and potentially unsafe for human habitation. The places
identified as unstable within the course of the above study
relate to the old and abandoned workings which had been made
prior to nationalisation and were not due to vacuum created
by illegal mining.
(b): Since 1990, efforts have been made for stabilising some
of these identified locations by filling sand using a novel
method known as ‘Hydro-Pneumatic’ sand stowing. This
process is in use for stabilisation at the following
locations.
1. Arun Talkies - In Raniganj Municipal areaHowever, the process of stabilisation by Hydro- Pneumatic stowing is slow.
2. Kumar Bazar - In Raniganj Municipal area
3. Haripur village - In Jamuria Municipal area
4. Barakar village - In Asansol Municipal Corporation area
5. Fatepur village - In Asansol Municipal Corporation area