The Centre is likely to send an official team to Meghalaya in October to assess whether scientific coal mining can be implemented in the state’s challenging terrain. NPP Sutnga-Saipung MLA Santa Mary Shylla made the statement after meeting Additional Secretary (Mining and Geology) Rupinder Brar. Officials from the Directorate of Mineral Resources and the Law Department also attended the meeting.
She said the discussions were a follow-up to the meeting between Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma and Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, describing the outcome as “very positive”.
During the meeting, the state government made a presentation, while the Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Limited (CMPDI) presented its own assessment.
According to Shylla, Central officials responded positively and indicated that they would visit Meghalaya to examine on the ground how scientific mining could be carried out. Although no specific date has been finalised, the visit is expected during the first or second week of October.
The Chief Minister’s memorandum to the Centre had highlighted several challenges to scientific mining in Meghalaya. One key issue was the need to reduce the size of mining blocks so that mining operations could be suitably adapted to the state’s terrain and landholding pattern.
The state has also argued that open-cast mining is not feasible in Meghalaya because of its high cost as well as the potential environmental damage involved.
Land ownership is another major concern. Unlike states where large mineral-bearing areas are owned by the government, most land in Meghalaya is privately held.
Shylla said the Chief Minister had clearly highlighted this issue in his memorandum, pointing out that the Centre would have to determine how scientific mining could be undertaken on privately owned land while protecting local land rights.
She said officials had been examining the matter since 2019, but this was the first time she felt the Government of India was “very positive and ready to help Meghalaya and its people”.
The state, she added, would continue pursuing the matter, while the Chief Minister would take it forward at the political level.
If the proposed field visit takes place as scheduled in October, it could provide the first practical assessment of whether scientific coal mining can be adapted to Meghalaya’s unique geographical and landholding conditions.
Centre likely to send team to Meghalaya in October to assess scientific coal mining
