Fires at Adasa coal yards near Nagpur raise questions over 2.5 lakh tonne coal stock

Fire incidents at the Adasa UG to OC coal yards, under the Saoner sub-area of Western Coalfields Limited in Nagpur district, have raised questions about how the coal stock is being handled and how safe government property is.

It is alleged that fires broke out in Coal Yard-1 over the past three months. For Coal Yard-2, it is being said that old, fire-affected coal was mixed into fresh stock. An independent inquiry into these allegations has been called necessary.

The stock is said to be about 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of coal, of which roughly 1 lakh metric tonnes is estimated to be affected. These figures, however, are only estimates, and the alleged mixing of old coal also needs official confirmation.

What the inquiry should examine has also been discussed. The cause of the fires, the actual loss, what the stock records show and the role of the officials responsible should all be made clear.

For Coal Yard-1, the demand is for an inquiry into when the fires occurred, how much loss resulted and what safety improvements were made afterwards. For Coal Yard-2, the quantities of old and new coal, quality reports, weighment slips and the stock register should be reconciled. It should also be made clear whether the prescribed rules for keeping fire-affected coal separate and testing its quality were followed.

Emphasis has also been laid on fixing responsibility. The role of the Adasa management and the officials and employees concerned should be examined through an impartial technical inquiry. If evidence of safety lapses, irregularities in records or violation of rules is found, action should be taken as per rules. The actual loss to government property should also be assessed.

Questions had already been raised about coal quality, grade and stock management, and the fires have deepened suspicion. However, no allegation of a conspiracy or of destruction of evidence has been confirmed. Impartial inquiry, a transparent report and accountability are needed instead of speculation.