Marking a major milestone, Meghalaya begins legal coal transport from its first scientific mine, aiming to curb illegal mining and reduce coal imports.

The first-ever commercial coal shipment from scientific mining in Meghalaya began on Wednesday. Two trucks loaded with coal, one bound for Bihar and the other for Uttar Pradesh, were ceremoniously flagged off by a traditional Khasi ruler at Byrnihat, near Guwahati, at the 17th Mile.

In Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills, Dapmain Shylla, the owner of the lease for the Saryngkham-A mine, shipped coal. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma officially opened the mine on March 17. It is the first of the state's recently authorized scientific coal mining enterprises.

India's reliance on imported coal is anticipated to be greatly reduced by the transportation of coal from Meghalaya. This achievement follows agreements signed in January 2024 between the central government and three miners from Meghalaya. In 2014, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned coal mining in Meghalaya because of the extensive environmental harm and safety risks brought on by uncontrolled "rat-hole" mining methods.

This method has led to many deaths from mining, especially in the coal-rich Jaintia Hills area. After the state won a Supreme Court case allowing scientific mining, the ban was lifted in 2019. Local traders expressed optimism that the project would boost industry transparency and the local economy.

To prevent illicit mining and guarantee sustainable extraction, the Meghalaya government and Coal India Limited have so far designated 12 lessees for scientific mining. The illicit coal trade, in which traders must pay Rs 3 lakh as "goonda tax" to pass through Meghalaya, Assam, West Bengal, and Bihar, would also be stopped by this transportation with legally acceptable GST documents.