Days for those settled around coal mines would not remain so gloomy. The State Government has reached an understanding with the Coal India limited (CIl) that would fetch precious potable water available in abundance in its closed mines for the villagers. The treated water can be used for drinking and irrigational purposes.
The decision in this regard was taken in a high level meeting between Chief Minister Raghubar Das and Union Coal Secretary Anil Swarup on Tuesday.
“The Chief Minister was very particular about the unused water in the abandoned coal mines which can be supplied to the locals for various purposes. It has been deiced that the CIl would made available the water to the State Government which would make sure its supply and distribution through pipelines to nearby villages. An MoU with the CIl would be signed in this regard soon,” said a senior official of Mines and Geology Department who was present in the meeting.
‘The Pioneer’ had extensively covered the issue including the effort made by Dhanbad based Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR). The institution is already in possession of such an indigenous technology using unique ozonification process for converting water reserves in mines into potable water.
The untreated water laden with suspended particulates, fluoride, arsenic and various other harmful pollutants dissolved into it can be treated at very minimal cost. CIMFR has already set up prototype plant of 180 liter/hr capacity followed by design, installation and commissioning of a pilot plant of 4000 liter/hr capacity at Pootkee-Balihari project site in Jharia area.
Notwithstanding the State Government showing interest earlier, the coal companies operating in Jharkhand have come out with their reservations to issue NOC for using the mine water. It is also because the companies rarely show the mine closed on paper and refrain from submitting the mandatory mine closure plan.
The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation maintains that recently two such projects at Patratu and another at Dhanbad had to meet the unfortunate end in the middle. At Patratu the CCl, having not furnished the NOC, started digging another pit nearby that drained the entire water out and left the scheme high and dry. “We have had a mixed experience in this regard so far in the State. But now when the agreement has reached upon there may be some headway,” said a senior official.
Also, the meeting discussed the ways to lay rail tracks from coal mines to their destinations without disturbing and harming natural environment. The CM also told the Union Coal Secretary to provide latest facilities to the Sports University so that it can become a role model for the rest of country. Discussion about Jharia rehabilitation plan, power generation, creating employment opportunities and status of closed mines also took place.
Chief Secretary Rajbala Verma, Principal Secretary to the CM Sanjay Kumar, Industry Secretary Sunil Kumar Barnwal along with CCl CMD Gopal Singh were present in the meeting.