Barabani and Asansol: Yet another accident at a coal mine in Barabani has brought ECL’s safety arrangements under sharp scrutiny, exposing alleged lapses and negligence. The incident occurred at the Begunia coal mine under Salanpur Area in Barabani.
A 51-year-old woman, Mala Bauri, a resident of Kapista village in Barabani, was seriously injured after a coal heap collapsed on her. The accident took place between 6:30 am and 7 am, when a massive pile of coal suddenly caved in on her inside the mine area.
Mala Bauri stated that she had gone to the coal mine in the morning to collect coal when the incident occurred. As a result of the collapse, her right hand was completely fractured into multiple pieces, and she also sustained serious injuries to her waist. With the help of local residents, she was initially taken to Kelejora Government Hospital. As her condition deteriorated, she was referred to Asansol District Hospital.
Her condition worsened further, following which she was shifted to a private hospital in Durgapur, where she is currently undergoing treatment.
The incident triggered strong reactions from BJP Asansol organisational district committee member Abhijit Roy, who held ECL responsible for the accident. The BJP leader questioned why civilians were allowed to enter the coal mine area, which is supposed to be secured by ECL. He said that given the woman’s age, it would be unfair to label her as a coal thief, as she herself stated that she had gone to collect coal. He further alleged that this was the third such incident in the Salanpur area within the past month.
Local sources claimed that the accident site falls under ECL’s jurisdiction. Despite this, there was allegedly no adequate security deployment, fencing, warning signage, or surveillance in place. Residents alleged that this blatant laxity in safety arrangements has allowed unrestricted public movement inside mine areas, leading to such tragic incidents.
Locals maintained that if ECL’s security system had been responsible and active, the accident could have been easily prevented. Serious questions are being raised about how civilians managed to enter a prohibited mining zone and where the security personnel were at the time.
It is noteworthy that several similar accidents have occurred in different coal mines under Salanpur Area over the past month. Despite repeated allegations of negligence and security lapses, no strict action or corrective measures have reportedly been taken so far.
Residents further alleged that illegal coal mafia activities, in collusion with a section of ECL officials, have deliberately weakened security arrangements. As a result, poor villagers are being forced to risk their lives. Whether it is Charanpur, Dabor Colliery, or Begunia coal mine, locals claim the situation is the same everywhere.
The series of such incidents has raised serious questions about ECL’s safety standards, administrative accountability, and humanitarian responsibility. The biggest question now is whether any action will be taken against the responsible officials, or whether this incident too will be brushed aside like previous ones.
Meanwhile, no official response has been received from ECL regarding the Barabani incident or the allegations raised by local residents.