(a) whether the Union Government has taken any steps to use clean coal technology and to reduce the air pollution due to coal mining activities in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has formulated a new action plan in this regard; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF COAL, POWER, NEW AND RENEWABLE ENERGY AND MINES (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)
(a) to (d): In order to reduce pollution due to coal mining, coal companies are using environmental friendly technologies in its operation. This includes increased use of surface miners in opencast mines, mist spraying of transport roads, transportation of coal through railways/ Merry-go-round (MGR)/ conveyors and tube conveyors etc.
The following additional measures have been taken by coal companies to reduce air pollution:
a) Suitable water spraying systems for arresting fugitive dust in roads, washeries, CHPs, Feeder Breakers, Crushers, coal transfer points and coal stock areas are being installed. Mist spray systems have been introduced along conveyor routes, transfer points and on bunkers. Mobile water sprinkling has been provided in all the haul roads of OC mines. In addition to these, the projects are enhancing the water sprinkling through engagement of contractual water tankers. Automatic sprinklers have also been installed in CHPs. Trucks are being covered with tarpaulin for coal transport.
b) Blacktopping, strengthening of coal transportation roads are regularly and scientifically being done.
c) Plantation around the mining activity areas, along roads to create green belts in and around the mines.
d) Switching to eco-friendly mode of transport: In order to reduce the dust pollution due to road transportation eco-friendly measures are being adopted. Coal to thermal power stations is transported by rail / series of belt conveyors & rail heads are constructed to make rail head available nearer to mine to reduce road transportation. CIL have constructed / are constructing integrated CHP for rapid loading wagon and trucks.
e) In order to prevent dust at source itself, use of dust extractors / wet drilling systems are being undertaken.
f) Controlled blasting / habitation away from the mines have been introduced as far as possible.
g) Adoption of modern technologies like Surface Miners at different subsidiaries of CIL, which generates lesser air borne pollution for carrying out mining activities as compared to conventional methods as drilling & blasting is eliminated.
h) Proper maintenance of equipment to minimize generation of gaseous pollutants.
i) Ambient air quality in and around the mine site is being monitored fortnightly. There are required numbers of ambient air quality monitoring stations, as stipulated in environmental rules and regulations which are being monitored on fortnightly basis as per Environment (Protection) Act, 2006, and reports are regularly submitted to SPCBs and MOEF.
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