ECOLOGICAL IMPACT OF ROADWAY COAL TRANSPORTATION IN COAL MINING AREAS--A CASE STUDY

摘要

Power generation in India has increased from 1362 MW in 1947 to about 105,000 MWs as on March 2002 out of which about 62,000 MWs is from coal based power stations. Over 100,000 MWs additional generation capacity needs to be added by 2012 to bridge the gap between demand and supply of power. Coal would continue to be the prime source of energy in India in foreseeable future. The coal demand is stated to grow from over 512 mt in 2003 - 04 to 557 mt in 2006-07 and 712 mt in 2011-12. Use of coal brings own share of problems. The impact of coal mining on environment and ecology can be extensive over surface, hydroshere and biosphere with surface mining while it would be limited in case of underground mining. Land system around coal mining areas experiences significant impact due to coal mining and coal transportation. In coal mining areas, coal mines and coal based industries are situated at distant places. Due to increasing trend in coal production pet-year and in order to cater the need of coal washeries, coke oven plants and other coal based industries, heavy increases in transportation of coal is recorded through roadways from the loading point. As a consequence, this particular area is affected by all types of environmental pollution such as noise, dust and water pollution. Main problem encountered with coal transportation is spilling of coal fragments from the heavy vehicles and their subsequent crushing. The pulverized coal particles sometimes become air borne. Some of these powdered coal particles are being taken into nearby drainage system and agricultural fields. Since almost all roads in the district, whether urban or rural are being utilized for coal transportation, the ecological impact is very severe. In the present paper an attempt has been made to discuss the status of coal transportation pollution in the Dhanbad - Jharia mining area (within the district of Dhanbad, Jharkhand) and also to suggest mitigation measures.