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Turning a bane into boon

Special Correspondent

Seepage problem in lignite mines solved as the saline water made potable for local populace

JAIPUR: Scientists and experts working with a public sector enterprise in Rajasthan have turned the problem of water seepage in the mines of the Matasukh-Kasnau lignite project in Nagaur district into a success story by purifying the saline water to make it fit for supply to the local populace while starting the lignite production.

The water seepage was threatening to render the mines of the Rajasthan State Mines and Minerals Limited (RSMML) inoperative and had adversely affected the production of lignite. Thanks to the coordinated efforts of experts, 70,000 tonnes of lignite has been produced in the project and sent for the first time to the Suratgarh Thermal Power Plant.

The Minister for Mines, Laxminarain Dave, pointed out here that the scheme for treating the saline water filling up the mines took shape when the attempts to drain it failed. The huge reserve of water led to the creative planning for utilising it for the benefit of people.

Experts from Bhavnagar and Chennai invited to the venue suggested that a reverse osmosis plant could help solve the problem. A pilot plant was established at Matasukh under their technical guidance in collaboration with the Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) and the purified water is now being supplied to the villages situated nearby.

Mr. Dave said the technical preparations for setting up a plant with the capacity of purifying 10-crore litres of water a day were presently under way and a task force for the purpose would be appointed shortly. The State Government is taking special interest in the project in view of its multidimensional potential.

The RSMML has meanwhile undertaken "experimental farming" of wheat and bajra by using the saline water and achieved encouraging results. Mr. Dave said the RSMML would involve the local farmers in the activity at its own land and had recently invited project reports on irrigation by saline water from prestigious institutions working across the country.

The Minister said the reverse osmosis plant of a higher capacity would permanently solve the problem of salinity of water, while the possibility of preparing salt by the untreated water was also being looked into. The CSMCRI has built a pilot pond near the mines for the purpose.

Mining at the Kasnau mines has been suspended temporarily following the advice of experts and the Matasukh mines have been made functional. Mr. Dave said the lignite production at the project site would reduce the State's dependence on imported coal and improve the availability of power.

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Turning a bane into boon

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