Photo Courtesy: nenews
Shillong: Meghalaya is nearing a return to small-scale coal mining. A federal technical team toured coal-heavy sites in the East Jaintia Hills and Khasi Hills last week to evaluate how to bring the industry back to life. The National Green Tribunal has kept the sector frozen for years, but officials now seek a path to legal, safe operations.
Representatives from the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited and the Directorate General of Mines Safety led the visit. They walked the ground alongside officers from the state's Directorate of Mineral Resources. This trip follows a July 7, 2026, sit-down in New Delhi between Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy.
The inspection team scrutinized local mining habits. They need to ensure any future work aligns with modern safety rules and the state's unique geology. After touring the pits, the team met with senior state officials to map out the technical and environmental requirements for scientific mining. State leaders are now pushing to support families who depend on the coal trade for their survival.
"Our government is committed to exploring viable options to restart coal mining in Meghalaya, balancing economic growth with environmental responsibility," Sangma said. State officials plan to keep the momentum going with more meetings and assessments in the coming weeks. The Directorate of Mineral Resources remains the primary point of contact for the Ministry of Coal as the framework for the restart takes shape.
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