More than 33 lakh tonnes of coal have been exported from Meghalaya to Bangladesh since the ban on rat-hole coal mining was imposed by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in April 2014.
According to information provided by the customs department to a committee constituted by the tribunal, 33,23,073 tonnes of coal in 539,134 truckloads have been exported to Bangladesh since the ban was imposed.
The committee, headed by Justice (retd) B.P. Katakey, was told that coal was exported through seven land custom stations in Meghalaya. These include Baghmara in South Garo Hills district, Bholaganj in East Khasi Hills, Borsora in South West Khasi Hills, Dalu in West Garo Hills, Dawki in West Jaiñtia Hills, Ghasuapara in South Garo Hills and Mahendraganj in West Garo Hills.
