BCCL Intensifies Crackdown on Rat-Hole Mining, Illegal Coal Extraction and Smuggling
Despite alleged “planted” cases and life threats, CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal continues his fight against the coal mafia.
Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) has intensified its crackdown on rat-hole mining, illegal coal extraction, unauthorised coal storage and illegal transportation across its vulnerable mining areas as part of the Government of India’s Zero Coal Leakage Tolerance Policy.
CMD BCCL Manoj Kumar Agarwal has been leading this campaign from the front, despite the odds stacked against him. In the battle he has waged against the coal mafia, he has faced two alleged “planted” criminal cases as well as reported life threats from elements of the local coal mafia.
In coordinated operations with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), district administration and local police, BCCL carried out raids, drone surveillance, area domination, intensive patrolling and special vehicle checks across sensitive locations on August 20.
The latest operation covered 17 locations identified as vulnerable to illegal mining and coal-related activities. While no active illegal mining or unauthorised coal storage was detected at most locations, surveillance teams identified several illegal mine openings and illegally stored coal requiring immediate intervention.
Illegal Mine Openings Detected in Key Coalfields
Drone surveillance and field operations brought several suspected rat-hole mining sites and illegal mine openings under scrutiny.
Near the Deko Phase in Barora, illegally stored coal was detected. In Mahuda, an illegal mine opening was identified behind the DAV School, with action underway to seal and fill the opening.
In the Jhinjhipahari-Belanjabad area of Katras, two illegal mine openings were identified. One has already been filled, while work on the second is in progress.
Similarly, illegal mine openings and excavation sites identified at Jhili Ground and Namak Factory in Sijua, as well as near Loyabad, are being filled.
Drone surveillance in the Kargil and Dumrijor jungle areas of CV Area (Basantimata) also detected open illegal mine openings, triggering action for their closure.
The Munidih area, meanwhile, was found to be normal during drone surveillance.
Rat-Hole Mining Remains a Major Challenge
The operations underline the continuing challenge posed by rat-hole mining, in which narrow and often dangerous mine openings are created to extract coal illegally from shallow or abandoned seams.
Such operations not only result in the theft of a valuable national resource but can also create serious safety and environmental risks. Unauthorised mine workings can lead to land subsidence, mine fires, accidents and other hazards for nearby communities.
BCCL’s strategy is therefore increasingly relying on drone-based surveillance, intelligence-led raids and immediate filling of illegal mine openings, rather than relying solely on conventional patrolling.
158 Coal-Laden Vehicles Checked
The crackdown also extended to the transportation network used for movement of coal.
Special vehicle checks were conducted at major check posts, railway sidings, coal dumps and transportation routes in accordance with the MMDR Act and the Zero Coal Leakage Tolerance Policy.
A total of 158 coal-laden vehicles were checked, of which 127 vehicles were verified through the M-Parivahan App. No irregularity was detected in the vehicles or their related documents during the checks.
Drone Surveillance and QRT Deployment Intensified
BCCL is combining multiple layers of enforcement to prevent illegal coal extraction and transportation. These include drone surveillance, area domination, intensive patrolling, Quick Reaction Team (QRT) deployment, vehicle verification and intelligence-based joint operations.
The company is also coordinating continuously with CISF, district authorities and local police to monitor vulnerable areas and respond rapidly to information concerning illegal mining and coal theft.
The intensified action comes amid the Centre’s broader push to prevent coal leakage and protect national mineral resources. For BCCL, the challenge is particularly significant because illegal extraction through unauthorised mine openings can create both economic losses and serious public-safety hazards.
BCCL has said that operations against illegal mining, coal theft, unauthorised storage and illegal transportation will continue regularly and will be conducted in a strict, transparent and legally compliant manner.
The company has appealed to citizens to report suspicious activities related to coal theft, illegal mining, illegal transportation or unauthorised coal storage to CISF Unit, BCCL, Koyla Nagar, Dhanbad, through WhatsApp message at 9341528406.
