Shillong: Meghalaya wants to modernize its coal pits. The state government is pushing for a new framework to allow safer, technology-assisted tunnel mining for small-scale local operators. Officials from the state and the Union Coal Ministry will meet within the next week to hash out the details. They plan to present the final proposal to the Union Coal Minister soon.
Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma wants to move away from open-cast mining. He argues it is too expensive for local miners to manage. Instead, the state favors a system using 3D mapping to spot danger zones and small machines to keep tunnels stable. The government is asking the Centre to help identify affordable tools to make these small mines safer.
The state currently struggles to oversee more than 22,000 mines. Officials want the Union Coal Ministry to delegate power under the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act. This would allow state authorities to handle approvals and paperwork locally. Sangma noted that federal rules requiring 100-acre plots for operations are unrealistic for local miners. He stated, "The Union Coal Minister agreed that the requirement of around 100 acres was not feasible for small local miners and that the issue needed review."
The goal is to cut down on the red tape that forces miners to travel to New Delhi for simple permits. While the Supreme Court lifted the ban on mining, current rules remain too tough for small players. Upcoming talks will determine if the state and Centre can build a system that balances local needs with mandatory safety standards.
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