TALCHER, 3 JAN: The landslide and fire in Ananta open cast mine here has put coal mining authorities in a spot.
Despite barrage of clarifications given by the coal authorities that the slide is a natural consequence of mining activities and fire is natural process at coalfields, local villagers and workers are terrified after the incident.
The fire has in no way affected the coal stock and is only limited to spluttered portion of coal due to sliding, the MCL officials claimed.
It may be mentioned here that on 30 December, a 100 feet long pucca road near the time office of the mine slid down. The road was built on an over burden (top soil of the earth) dump in 1993.
Sources said that due to weak foundation and water logging below the road, the slide took place. However, no one was injured nor any property lost in the mishap.
Soon after the landslide, there was a massive fire near the mining areas. Oxygen had rushed into the 'cracked coal seam and resulted into fire, officials asserted.
The Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh leader Mr A Srinivas Rao raised questions on the managerial efficiency in handling such a situation.
The general manager of Jagannath area, under which Ananta mine operates, Mr Amalesh Kumar observed that fire is a common phenomenon in coal mines. Everything is in control and the fire will be put out in a day or two, he assured.
“Generally, when any sliding occurs, immediate deployment of the machines are not done to carry out any work including control of fire as the sliding mass is unstable and unsafe for any activities. After due observation, when the sliding area stabilises, steps are taken to quench the fire,” an MCL release issued here pointed out.
Angul collector Mr DV Swami visited the mine yesterday. Senior officers of the ministry are also expected to visit the spot.