65.81 MT of coal assessed in Meghalaya

Shillong, September 2, 2014: The Committee formed by NGT has assessed 65,81,147 metric tonnes of coal in the State. The committee assessed, 37,58,929 MT of coal in East Jaintia Hills district and 2,92, 962 MT of coal in West Jaintia Hills. In East Khasi Hills, the Committee assessed 28,101 MT while another 18,76,475 MT of extracted coal was assessed in South West Khasi Hills.

The Committee also assessed 10,805 MT of coal in East Garo Hills and 16,416 MT in West Garo Hills.

The Committee has, so far, has assessed 3,94,814 MT of coal in West Khasi Hills and 2,02,645 MT of coal in South Garo Hills so far and the assessment work is still in progress.

As per the consolidated statement of the Committee, 120,94,634 MT of coal was declared by the owners initially in all the districts but the Committee found only 15,38,214 MT of coal during the inspection.

The Committee constituted by the NGT has asked the State Government to issue notification allowing transportation of coal from East Jaintia Hills, West Jaintia Hills, East Khasi Hills, South West Khasi Hills, East Garo Hills and West Garo Hills – where the assessment has been completed.

The Committee also asked the State Government to permit transportation of coal from the six districts subject to strict adherence to the 21-point guidelines issued earlier by the NGT.

Source: The Shillong Times