CM Conrad inaugurates Meghalaya’s first ever scientific coal mine

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 17, 2025

After almost ten long years, the State of Meghalaya finally shifted over from the rathole mining of coals to scientific mining of coals after the former was banned in the state by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) following complaints from the Dima Haso Students Association on April 2014.

This was evident with the inauguration of the 1st Scientific Mining Coal Block in Meghalaya at Saryngkham-A Coal Mine, Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills District by Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma through video conferencing while the programme was held in Byndihati.

The Saryngkham-A Coal Mine, Byndihati, East Jaintia Hills is owned by Dapmain Shylla of Byndihati.

The Chief Minister also said that the process of ensuring that other applicants receive the same mining permissions and are able to start the mining in a scientific manner is on. “It is always complicated and difficult for the first one or two or three of them, because they are moving in uncharted territory, not knowing what challenges may suddenly crop up and delay the process, but now that there has already been somebody who has moved and seen everything, it is now going to be easier for others who are behind now to move forward, because they have shown the way, they have cleared the way and they have managed to now show to others that this is how we have to follow the procedure”, he said.

He also said that Meghalaya had many challenges, apart from the technological aspect, we have land rights and land holding systems which are very different from the rest of the country, and hence different kind of provisions, different kind of challenges came up in order for us to be able to make this particular mining a possibility and hence it took more time than we expected.

Sutnga Saipung MLA, Santa Mary Shylla said under the leadership of Conrad K Sangma the process of scientific coal mining in the state of Meghalaya has become a reality and expressed hope that the dream of transforming Meghalaya into a 10 billion dollar economy by the year 2028 becomes a reality under his leadership.

Amongst others who spoke during the programme include Executive Member, Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council (JHADC), Hambertus Nongtdu, Deputy Commissioner, East Jaintia Hills District, Shivansh Awasthi and former Khliehriat MLA, Justin Dkhar.