The Meghalaya High Court has flagged several unresolved issues in the State’s efforts to address illegal coal mining, including coal disposal, discrepancies in inventories, mine closure, coke oven plants, environmental restoration and enforcement.
A Division Bench comprising Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh, in its August 31 order in the suo motu PIL on illegal coal mining, observed that several issues “continue to remain unresolved” and highlighted gaps based on the reports of the Justice B.P. Katakey Committee and the State’s status reports.
The Court noted that the matter has been under its consideration since February 2022 to monitor implementation of directions of the Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal, as well as the recommendations of the Katakey Committee.
On coal disposal, the Court recorded that in an April 28, 2026 auction, 3,45,051 MT of coal was successfully sold, but payments were made for only 33,503 MT, leaving 3,11,548 MT unpaid and unevacuated, according to the Committee’s report.
The Committee also reported a major discrepancy between the State’s 2019 coal inventory and a subsequent drone survey. Against 32,56,715 MT declared as physically available, the survey found 14,10,710.41 MT, a difference of 18,46,004.59 MT. The Court noted that no independent high-level inquiry had been initiated into this discrepancy.
On mine safety, the Committee had highlighted more than 22,000 open and unfenced coal mine pits. The Court noted that, despite directions, no abandoned mine pit had been physically closed, sealed or permanently fenced under a formal policy.
The order also records that, of 62 coke oven plants, 29 had valid Consent to Operate, while the Committee had recommended demolition of 33 non-compliant plants. The State subsequently reported that all 17 illegal plants in West Khasi Hills and 11 of 16 in East Jaintia Hills had been demolished, leaving five in East Jaintia Hills pending.
The Court further recorded the Committee’s findings concerning Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd. The Committee reported that 293,569.349 MT of coal was imported through 8,174 truckloads between January 2, 2025 and February 28, 2026, and alleged that the consignments bypassed the 2024 SOP and lacked official approvals. The State subsequently issued a show-cause notice to Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd.
The order also records that the State had registered a criminal case following the March 4, 2026 fatal accident at Byndihati involving an overloaded coal truck carrying coal to Star Cement Meghalaya Ltd.
On environmental restoration, the Committee criticised the utilisation of funds, recording that over ₹428 crore remained unutilised. The Court noted that, despite the State constituting a High-Level Monitoring Committee in July 2026, significant funds remained blocked and restoration projects were still stalled.
The order also records several mining-related deaths, including the February 5, 2026 Mynsngat-Thangsko blast in which 34 people died and five were injured, as documented by the Committee.
On accountability, the Court noted that although the State had proposed a mechanism to hold Deputy Commissioners, Superintendents of Police and Divisional Mining Officers accountable for illegal mining in their jurisdictions, the district-specific action plans did not contain formal mechanisms for personal liability.
The Court directed the matter to be listed on September 21, 2026, for the State’s status report on the 40th Interim Report and other measures taken and proposed.
