SECL's mine water utilization to give sustainable double incomes to farmers

Coal India’s subsidiary South Eastern Coalfields Ltd (SECL) has ensured a sustainable example for farmers to double their income by encouraging them towards Mine Water Utilization which provides irrigation facility of over 3000 hectares of land residing closely to mines. In order to take significant and strategic step towards the water conservation importance, SECL is supplying seeped water from its underground and open-cast mines to different villagers for agricultural practices.

SECL Chairman-cum Managing Director has assured that the company is working extensively according to the government’s climatic approach and the company is providing water from its mines to farmers for the agricultural activities, which results in doubling of their income. This can be attributed towards the less dependency on monsoon. This results in farmers to harvest double crops in a year. Additionally, besides the paddy cultivation the farmers are able to practice horticulture crops by using water from collieries.

The SECL’s Area General Manager for Bhatgaon, Dilip Bobde shares more details about the mine water utilization and said that groundwater comes through seepage whenever we operate underground or open-cast mines. The groundwater is collected after seepage and its utilization is ensured after Central Ground Water Board gives approval. The mine water is used for dust suppression, machine operation, and compliance with other safety protocols within the mines. The remaining water is supplied to villagers close to the campus for their respective purpose.