Fueling 55% of power generation, coal has always been identified as the primary source of energy in India. But thanks to some initiatives taken by the government, the Black Diamond industry is now satisfying thirst of nearly seven lakh beneficiaries in 498 villages across six coal-bearing states.
Some 6,100-lakh cubic meter, or 16,700 liters per day, of water is pumped out annually from the mines of India's biggest coal producer, Coal India, according to the coal ministry.
Until a few years ago, coal mines used only a small portion of this water for sprinkling and coal washing etc. Some of the remaining water was deposited in ponds created within mine areas and the rest was pumped out on to neighbouring land.
But things began to change in 2015-16 when the government, asked miners to put mine water to good use. Packaged drinking water under the 'Coal Neer' brand was the first step.
Since then, the initiative has grown into a civic service, with the ministry data showing CIL mines supplying some 484-lakh cubic metres of water for domestic use and 599 lakhs cubic metres of water for irrigating over 2,060 hectares of land during 2017-18.
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