With the collapse of eastern grid and breakdown of power, 200 Eastern Coalfields Ltd workers were trapped in underground coal mines in Raniganj coal belt.
As soon as the news spread, there was panic and pandemonium in Sodepur and Kunustoria areas in Raniganj as hundreds of distraught family members started pouring, clamouring for rescue operation. However, in the absence of power, the ECL authorities were not in a position to do much. They sent SOS to the power supplier, DPSC. Responding to their desperate call, the DPSC restored partial power on emergency basis.
With the help of technical experts, the ECL officials started evacuating the trapped miners safely. General manager, technical, ECL, Niladri Roy confirmed that 200 miners were rescued from the underground coal mines. “Now there is no miner inside any mine and no miner was sent in any mine in the second shift,” Mr Roy said. A DPSC official said that the power supplier had been supplying power to three mines of the ECL. “On an emergency call from the ECL, we have supplied life-saving power of three MVA,” he added. When all miners were evacuated, their family members heaved a collective sigh of relief.