Trapped Miners Rescued

Around 100 miners trapped in underground mines in the Satgram project in Eastern Coalfields Ltd (ECL) were rescued on Monday evening after remaining underground for about 12 hours. Most of the rescued have been badly affected.

ECL authorities blame it on the failure in the high tension Damodar Valley Corporation (DVC) power lines following Mondays cyclone which in turn led to the total disruption of power at Lachipur power sub-station near Kajora area. The sub-station supplies to four areas of Eastern Coalfields.

Production in almost 65 per cent of the underground Eastern Coalfields mines has been badly affected giving rise to safety problems.

ECL sources said the power situation had not changed till Monday, though some temporary lines have been installed in some areas. As a result, the entire mining operation in the down field has come to a standstill.

According to estimates, coal production loss to ECL till yesterday stood at 20,000 tonnes, or Rs 2 crore.

Despite efforts by the DVC management, a reasonable level of power restoration was not possible till Monday evening. Alternate action has been taken by the ECL management to at least ensure safety measure in the affected mines, a company source said.