Guwahati, March 6: A massive illegal coal mining racket has been exposed in Assam’s Karbi Anglong and Dima Hasao districts, where authorities have detected 263 illegal rat-hole mines, the state government informed the Assam Legislative Assembly on Wednesday.
Despite a 2014 ban by the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the hazardous practice continues unabated in the Northeast.
In a written response to Independent MLA Akhil Gogoi, Mines and Minerals Minister Kaushik Rai revealed that 248 of these illegal mines were found in the North Cachar Hills Autonomous Council (Dima Hasao), while 15 mines were detected in the Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council, covering Karbi Anglong and West Karbi Anglong districts.
Responding to AIUDF MLA Ashraful Hussain, Rai further disclosed that authorities had seized 25,631.98 tonnes of illegally mined and transported coal from various parts of Assam in the past three years.
Despite strict regulations, the illegal coal trade thrives in districts like Dibrugarh, Tinsukia, and Charaideo, though Rai did not share specific figures on illegal mining operations in these areas.
The dangers of illegal mining were starkly evident in January 6, when nine miners were trapped and later found dead inside the 3-Kilo Coal Quarry in Umrangso after a sudden flood engulfed the site. Their partially decomposed bodies were retrieved after days of rescue operations.
The Assam government has promised stringent action, with a monitoring committee led by the DGP formed to crack down on illegal mining. Based on its recommendations, district commissioners (DCs) have been instructed to enforce strict measures to curb these activities.
Additionally, the government is in the process of legalizing coal mining through an auction system. Rai assured that efforts are underway to prevent further illegal mining and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
The Department of Geology and Mining has spent substantial funds in 2022-23: ₹579.89 crore (capital) and ₹406.60 crore (revenue), in 2023-24: ₹334.51 crore (capital) and ₹517.65 crore (revenue) and 2024-25: ₹318 crore (capital) and ₹322 crore (revenue).
