ECL seals Khandra mine after surface cracks near Nilkanth Temple

Kolkata: Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) has taken up precautionary safety measures at Khandra Colliery under Bankola area following the surface cracks/subsidence near Nilkanth Temple, with safety of its employees and surrounding areas as its highest priority, people in the know said.

“The surface cracks/subsidence were observed on July 28, 2026 in an area where a number of unauthorised structures and illegal occupants are present. The presence of such structures has restricted effective surface filling in the affected area, thereby creating the possibility of air ingress into the underground workings, which may aggravate spontaneous heating conditions in the affected zone, a company statement said.

As a proactive measure to prevent any deterioration of underground conditions and to ensure the safety of its employees, ECL has decided to undertake sealing of the mine from the surface, it said. The precautionary measure has been initiated in consultation with and under the technical guidance offormer Chief Scientist-CSIR-CIMFR N. Sahay, and General Manager (Safety & Rescue)- ECL. The work is being carried out under the supervision of ECL's Mines Rescue Team, the company said.


“The situation is being continuously monitored, and all necessary safety measures are being undertaken in accordance with expert advice, technical assessment and established mine-safety practices,” it said.

ECL clarified that no circumstantial evidence or mine-air analysis report presently establishes the occurrence of any explosion or air blast in the mine.

ECL is also assessing the operational and manpower requirements arising from this precautionary action. For the time being, the existing manpower will be suitably deployed either in another unit of the same mine or in neighbouring mines, as per operational requirements, the company said.

The measures have been initiated purely as a preventive and proactive safety intervention, the company said, stating that. “ECL remains committed to safeguarding its employees and the surrounding area and will continue to take all necessary steps based on technical assessment, continuous monitoring and expert guidance.”