In a bid to monitor and tackle illegal coal mining activities, the Indian government has launched two technological initiatives - the Khanan Prahari mobile app and the Coal Mine Surveillance and Management System (CMSMS) web app. The apps are aimed at promoting e-governance and curbing illegal mining through citizens' participation and the use of space technology.
The Khanan Prahari app, developed by the Ministry of Coal, allows citizens to report any illegal mining incidents through geo-tagged photographs and textual information from the place of the incidence. Meanwhile, the CMSMS app was developed to receive and act on complaints of illegal mining received through the Khanan Prahari app.
To reduce illegal coal mining operations, the government has taken several measures including erecting concrete walls to prevent access to abandoned mines, conducting surprise raids, dumping overburden on outcrop zones, and training security personnel in security discipline. In addition, committees and task forces have been constituted at different levels to monitor illegal mining.
As of January 2023, the number of cases reported through the Khanan Prahari app has been enclosed as an annexure. The government's efforts through these technological initiatives are a step forward in ensuring transparency and action against illegal mining activities in the country.
