Meghalaya Restarts Coal Mining After Decades-Long Ban

11 Apr 2025 CW Team

On March 17, 2025, after several decades of inactivity, the Meghalaya government has reopened mining operations in the East Jaintia Hills and the West Khasi Hills. The opening was virtually inaugurated by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma. At present, only three miners in Meghalaya are working on the process of scientifically mining coal. Eleven more are expected to join them over the upcoming months once they have received approval from the Coal Ministry, according to Sangma.

The decision to conduct mining is a contentious one, as it was previously banned by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) following complaints about its harmful impact on the environment alongside a number of tragedies and accidents. Sangma dismissed these concerns, assuring reporters that the current extraction and mining process being undertaken is completely in line with safety and regulatory standards.

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