National Green Tribunal
News Item Titled Six Killed In ... vs West Bengal Pollution Control Board on 3 December, 2024
Item No.01 Court No.1
BEFORE THE NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL
EASTERN ZONE BENCH, KOLKATA
(THROUGH PHYSICAL HEARING WITH HYBRID MODE)
Original Application No.222/2024/EZ
(Earlier O.A. No.1238/2024/PB)
News item titled "Six killed in accidental blast in
Birbhum coal mine" appearing in The Hindu
dated 08.10.2024 Applicant(s)
Date of hearing: 03.12.2024
CORAM: HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE B. AMIT STHALEKAR, JUDICIAL MEMBER
HON'BLE DR. ARUN KUMAR VERMA, EXPERT MEMBER
For Applicant(s) : Suo Motu
ORDER
1. The Original Application No.722/2024/PB was registered suo motu by the New Delhi Bench of the Tribunal on the basis of a news item titled "Six killed in accidental blast in Birbhum coal mine"
appearing in The Hindu dated 08.10.2024" published in The Hindu dated 12.05.2024.
2. The news item relates to a blast at a coal mine in the Birbhum district of West Bengal, resulting in the deaths of six individuals and several others getting injured. As per the news item the incident took place around 1 PM during the loading of explosives for mining operations.
3. The news item highlights that the explosion occurred when explosives kept in a truck went off at Gangaramchak and Gangaramchak Bhadulia coal mine in Khoyrasole block under Lokpur police station of Birbhum district. The news item asserted that the coal mine has been allotted to West Bengal Power Development Corporation Limited (WBPDCL), a power utility operated by the State government. The coal mine was reopened in April 2019.
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4. The news item states that the blast reportedly caused significant damage to the mine site and surrounding areas, raising concerns about safety protocols and the handling of explosives in such operations. Furthermore, it is asserted that the blast occurred in the dump yard of the captive coal mine. The vehicle carrying the explosive was badly mangled in the blast and there were reports of bodies of the workers being badly severed.
5. The following been impleaded by the New Delhi Bench of the Tribunal as Respondent in the present Original Application and notices have also been issued in the case: -
i) West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), Through its Member Secretary: Paribesh Bhawan, 10A, Block-LA, SectorIII, Salt Lake, Kolkata - 700106, West Bengal, India;
ii) Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Through its Member Secretary: Parivesh Bhawan, East Arjun Nagar, Delhi-
110032, India;
iii) Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF), West Bengal Kendriya Bhawan, 3rd Floor, Block-A, Alipore, Kolkata - 700027, West Bengal, India;
iv) District Magistrate (DM), Birbhum: Office of the District Magistrate & Collector, Birbhum, PO+PS: Suri, Birbhum, West Bengal, India - 731101
6. Thereafter, the said Original Application was transferred by the New Delhi Bench of the Tribunal vide its order dated 16.10.2024 to the Eastern Bench of the Tribunal and the case has now been re- numbered as Original Application No.222/2024/EZ.
7. Mr. Sibojyoti Chakrabarti, learned Counsel appearing (in Virtual Mode) files Vakalatnama on behalf of the Respondent No.2, Central 2 Pollution Control Board (CPCB). When the case is next listed, the name of Mr. Sibojyoti Chakrabarti shall be printed in the cause list as the Counsel for the Respondent No.2.
8. Mr. Dipanjan Ghosh, learned Counsel who is present (in Virtual Mode) accepts notice on behalf of the Respondent No.1, West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB).
9. Mr. Rajib Ray, learned Counsel who is present (in Virtual Mode) accepts notice on behalf of the Respondent No.4, District Magistrate (DM), Birbhum, Government of West Bengal.
10. Issue notice to the Respondent No.3, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEF), returnable within four weeks.
11. All the Respondents shall file their counter affidavits within four weeks.
12. Office of the Tribunal shall provide e-copy/soft copy of the Original Application along with all its annexures as well as the copy of the Article to Mr. Sibojyoti Chakrabarti, Mr. Dipanjan Ghosh and Mr. Rajib Ray, Counsel for the Respondents, within 48 hours.
13. List on 17.01.2025.
..................................... B. Amit Sthalekar, JM ............................................. Dr. Arun Kumar Verma, EM December 03, 2024, Original Application No.222/2024/EZ (Earlier O.A. No.1238/2024/PB) SKB 3