Meghalaya Coal Truck Overturn Revives Illegal Mining Concerns

A road accident involving a coal-laden truck near Shillong has brought the issue of illegal coal mining and transportation in Meghalaya back into focus. The incident occurred on the morning of August 24, when the vehicle overturned while travelling from Nongstoin in the West Khasi Hills district towards Guwahati in Assam.

The Justice (retired) B.P. Katakey Committee, appointed by the High Court of Meghalaya, has now called for a detailed inquiry into the matter. In its 40th Interim Report, the panel questioned whether the coal being transported was legally auctioned or had been extracted illegally. The committee's concern stems from the fact that the truck lacked the mandatory Mineral Transport Challan issued by the Directorate of Mineral Resources.

The legal framework governing coal in the state stems from a 2014 National Green Tribunal ban on hazardous rat-hole mining. While the Supreme Court upheld this ban, it permitted scientific mining under strict conditions. It also allowed Coal India Limited to auction coal that had been mined and stocked prior to the prohibition.

The truck operator appeared before the police and produced documents claiming the coal belonged to a successful bidder for 8,338.374 metric tonnes. A photocopy of a challan for another vehicle was also submitted, with the operator stating the original truck had been replaced due to a breakdown. However, the operator could not provide the original challan for either vehicle.

The committee noted that this procedure violated the Standard Operating Protocol for transporting auctioned coal. It has asked the police to establish the origin of the cargo and submit a status report within a fortnight from September 4.

The panel has also raised concerns about the broader enforcement of mining laws. It questioned why confiscation proceedings have not been initiated despite the seizure of 92 pieces of equipment and 62 vehicles in cases registered between 2023 and August 2026. Police data shows 64 cases of illegal transportation and 127 cases of illegal extraction were registered in this period. The committee further flagged that action has been taken against landowners and mine owners in only four cases, all in the East Jaintia Hills district.