Shillong, 17 March (HS): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma virtually inaugurated the state’s first scientific coal mine in East Jaintia Hills on Monday, marking the resumption of coal mining after nearly a decade.

Announcing the development on social media, Sangma described it as a historic and red letter day for Meghalaya. The move comes after the central government signed agreements with three miners earlier this year, facilitating a return to mining under regulated conditions.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned unscientific rat-hole mining in 2014 due to safety and environmental risks. Before the ban, coal mining contributed around ₹700 crore annually to Meghalaya’s economy.

To ensure compliance with safety protocols, the state signed escrow agreements with the Controller of Coal (Government of India) and project proponents. Coal India Limited acts as the third-party overseer.

Sangma also revealed that 12 more applications for scientific coal mining are nearing approval, reinforcing the state’s commitment to responsible resource extraction.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash