Shillong, March 17 -- Meghalaya on Monday started the first-ever scientific coal mining after the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned rat-hole coal mining in the state.
The first scientific coal mining block in the state - 'Saryngkham-A' Coal Mine, Byndihati in coal-rich East Jaintia Hills district. The coal block has been leased to one coal miner Dapmain Shylla from Byndihati and the mining will be conducted scientifically.
In January 2025, the Meghalaya government received the final clearance for scientific coal mining after three miners signed escrow agreements with the Controller of Coal, Government of India
The NGT had imposed a blanket ban on coal mining in Meghalaya in 2014, following widespread safety and environmental co...