Guwahati: Dense forests, fractured terrain, and legal red tape have kept much of Northeast India’s coal reserves buried in limbo—despite their vast potential.
The North Eastern Region (NER) holds an estimated 1,778 million tonnes of coal—600 million tonnes measured and 983.54 million tonnes inferred—hidden beneath forested hills, rugged terrain, and areas with restricted access. Meghalaya leads the tally with 583.22 million tonnes, followed by Assam (525.01), Nagaland (478.31), Sikkim (101.23), and Arunachal Pradesh (90.23). Notably, Assam accounts for the majority of the measured resources, at 464.78 million tonnes.
Out of India’s 61 coalfields, 20 are located in the Northeast, comprising 2 Gondwana and 18 tertiary coalfields. But as the Central Mine Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI) points out in its report “Coal Resources and Exploration in Northeast Region,” most of these fields are small, scattered, and economically marginal, lying within ecologically sensitive zones.
The North Eastern Region (NER) of India holds significant coal resources, primarily in the form of tertiary coal deposits. These deposits, found in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya, differ from the Gondwana coal found in the rest of India, with unique characteristics like high sulfur content and volatile matter. “Exploration efforts, both regional and detailed, are crucial for understanding the extent and quality of these resources, with government agencies and coal companies playing key roles,” the report says.
“Despite the region’s substantial coal potential, exploration activities have faced long-standing challenges due to a combination of difficult terrain, dense forest cover, remote locations, complex geological formation, and unique land ownership laws under the 6th Schedule. These factors have impeded effective assessment and development of the region,” the report says.
To fully explore these areas, CMPDI estimates a need for 2.50 lakh meters of regional drilling and 7.80 lakh meters of detailed drilling. Yet, progress is sluggish: only 34 sq km of the 938 sq km coal-bearing area has undergone regional exploration. A mere 4 sq km has been detailed outside Coal India Limited (CIL) domains. The majority—654 sq km—remains unexplored, largely because it is locked away in dense forests or areas requiring community or legal clearances.
“Exploring and developing coal resources in the NER presents several significant challenges due to a combination of environmental, topographical, and geological factors,” the CMPDI report states.
Forest cover is the primary constraint. Most prognosticated coal-bearing areas in the Northeast are either completely or near-completely forested. Only 128 sq km qualifies as “unblocked,” meaning forest density is below 90%. The rest includes areas under community control, where exploration requires prior approval—often difficult to obtain.
“The NER’s coal resources, with their unique characteristics, require careful environmental management during exploration and utilization to mitigate potential impacts, because most of the coal-bearing areas are moderate to densely forested,” the report says.
The terrain isn’t any kinder. With steep slopes, mountain ranges, and unstable ground, access to potential sites is fraught with risks such as landslides and geological instability. Specialised equipment and techniques are needed just to carry out basic surveys or drilling.
Even when accessible, the geology complicates matters further. Coal seams in NER are generally thin—often under one metre—and exhibit “pinch-and-swell” patterns, making reserve estimation and extraction uneconomical. Add to that high sulfur content, and the coal becomes less attractive for industrial use unless costly treatment is applied.
CMPDI plays a central role in this endeavour by providing technical support, including vetting of Geological Reports (GRs), conducting physical inspections of coal blocks, and scrutinizing Prospecting License (PL) and Mining Lease (ML) applications within Sixth Schedule areas.
In addition, CMPDI has strengthened the capabilities of state Directorates of Geology and Mining (DGMs) and DMRs through the procurement of plant and machinery such as hydrostatic drilling rigs, excavators, and pumping equipment. Capacity building forms another key pillar, with comprehensive training programs on modern exploration techniques, software tools like AutoCAD, ArcGIS, and Minex, and procedural guidance on tendering.
Since 2022, three regional workshops in Guwahati and Shillong have been organized involving GSI, MECL, all DGMs/DMRs, and private agencies, for knowledge exchange and collaboration among them, in a coordinated approach to enhance the pace of coal exploration in NER.
Despite the odds, some fields have shown promise due to higher-grade coal with low ash and high calorific value—namely Makum and Dilli-Jeypore (Assam), Namchik-Nampuk (Arunachal), Bapung and Langrin (Meghalaya), and Borjan (Nagaland).
Still, the report warns that sustainable development here will depend on “a meticulous equilibrium between environmental protection, technological advancement, and economic viability.”
Efforts are being made to change course. The Ministry of Coal (MoC) and CMPDI have identified new zones for exploration, organised awareness drives, and collaborated with state bodies like the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMs) and Directorates of Mineral Resources (DMRs).
Crucially, fund utilisation under the Coal Sector Sustainability (CSS) support from the Ministry has risen sharply—over 90% in 2023–24 and more than 80% in 2024–25. The Ministry has also earmarked 10% of its gross budgetary support exclusively for NER coal exploration and development.
Also Read: As Assam’s forests shrink, elephants die: Over 1,200 fatalities in 23 years
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