Meghalaya mine rescue: Operations halted as water pumps develop glitches
Rescue operations for the 15 miners trapped in a Meghalaya mine hit a roadblock yesterday, as the two high-powered pumps engaged in de-watering did not operate the whole day after developing technical glitches. The Navy divers also could not venture down with no change in the water level, officials said. The high-powered pumps were installed Saturday to pump out water from the main shaft.
The two high-powered pumps are undergoing repair work
The miners are trapped in the main shaft since December 13. The pumps of Kirloskar Brothers Ltd developed glitches and could not function the whole day. Another submersible pump from Coal India Ltd (CIL) also faced a snag, affecting de-watering operations in the nearby abandoned mines in East Jaintia Hills district, said the official. The two high-powered pumps are undergoing repair work, he said.
CIL to put into operation minimum three more pumps
R Susngi, the spokesperson for the operation, said that CIL pump was replaced with a new one. The CIL is expected to put into operation at least three more pumps today. However, no headway could be made in reducing the water levels in the main shaft and the nearby mines due to the malfunctioning of the pumps and fresh seepage, the official said.
Current water level in main shaft is about 160 feet
Divers from the Indian Navy and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) could not venture down to gauge the water level inside the main shaft as it was beyond the safe diving limit of 100 feet, the spokesperson said. The current water level in the main shaft is about 160 feet, while its total depth is around 370 feet.
State government has already allowed illegal coal mining, alleges Congress
Rescue work is suspended daily at around 5 pm as night falls. The Kirloskar Brothers pumps could be used for just one hour on Saturday, Susngi said. The owner of the illegal coal mine has been arrested. Meanwhile, Opposition Congress also alleged yesterday that BJP-backed Meghalaya Democratic Alliance government has allowed illegal coal mining within six months of coming to power.
BJP, NPP 'fulfilled their promise' by opening illegal coal-mining: Mukul
"The BJP and National People's Party (NPP) had both promised the people of the state to open up coal mining if they were elected to power. Actually, what they did was open up illegal coal mining within six months," Leader of Opposition Mukul Sangma said.
