Concerns Raised Over Coal Transportation Violations in Meghalaya
Issues Identified in Coal Transportation Procedures
Representative image of coal transportation (Photo: Meta)
Shillong, May 3: The 37th interim report from the Justice (retd) Brojendra Prasad (BP) Katakey committee has highlighted potential violations of the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) 2024, which regulate the transportation of coal and other minerals from outside Meghalaya.
In a report presented to the court on Friday, the committee observed that while several cement companies had submitted requests on April 8 of the previous year to transport coal for the period spanning April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, no approvals were issued by the relevant authorities.
The committee specifically pointed out M/S Star Cement Meghalaya Limited and Star Cement Limited for transporting a total of 2,93,569.349 metric tonnes of coal via 8,174 truckloads during the years 2025 and 2026, recommending necessary actions for any SOP breaches.
Contradicting an official statement, the committee noted inconsistencies in compliance reports. The Superintendent of Police for East Jaintia Hills had claimed that the SOP for coal and mineral transportation was being adhered to strictly.
However, the committee refuted this claim, stating that records show insufficient compliance and that no transportation approvals had been granted by the competent authority as per the SOP 2024.
The single-member panel also raised concerns regarding the lack of essential documents, including mineral transport challans, tax invoices, e-way bills, certificates of origin, and weighment details, indicating significant procedural failures in the transport of these consignments.
To enhance oversight, the committee suggested the mandatory use of GPS-enabled vehicles, the application of identifiable colour-coded stickers, and the strict routing of coal transport through designated corridors and smart exit check-gates.
The report emphasized the need for administrative accountability, asserting that officials responsible for preventing illegal mining should be held personally accountable for any violations occurring within their areas of responsibility.
Additionally, the committee proposed the establishment of a High-Level Monitoring Committee, led by an officer of Additional Chief Secretary rank, to supervise the implementation of measures against illegal mining and ensure the proper use of allocated funds.
Furthermore, the panel instructed that over 1.55 lakh metric tonnes of illegally mined coal, identified through aerial surveys, be transported to designated depots for auction after securing necessary court approvals.
It also called for the immediate filing of FIRs regarding more than 33,000 metric tonnes of coal that has gone missing.
These findings emerge amid ongoing concerns raised by the BP Katakey committee regarding illegal coal mining in Meghalaya, especially in East Jaintia Hills, which has been recognized as a significant center for illicit extraction and transportation.
In earlier reports, the committee had pointed out extensive irregularities, including discrepancies between officially recorded coal stocks and actual findings, indicating systemic failures in monitoring and enforcement.
The committee has also requested detailed police investigations into fatalities linked to illegal coal mining in the state, underscoring serious safety issues associated with unregulated mining activities.
With inputs from agencies