Coal Movement from CCL’s Key Jharkhand Mines Paralyzed as Truckers Continue Strike

Chatra — Road-based coal dispatch from Central Coalfields Limited’s Amrapali and Chandragupta mines has remained shut for the seventh straight day due to an indefinite strike by truck operators protesting alleged police extortion.

Beginning November 12, the strike has halted coal flow from one of Jharkhand’s busiest mining zones, causing major revenue losses to the company and the state. Officials warn that the ongoing impasse could soon trigger coal shortages at multiple NTPC thermal power plants.

Truckers claim that police deployed along the Tandwa–Simaria stretch, especially near Khadhaiya, are demanding bribes of ?5,000–?10,000 from each vehicle. According to them, the Tandwa police station chief routinely stops trucks at night and extracts money by accusing them of fake violations—ranging from dim headlights and overheated engines to damaged tarpaulins or faulty speed meters.

The region normally moves around 60,000 tonnes of coal every day from major supply points including Chatti Bariatu, Katkamsandi, Amrapali, KD Mines (Pandu), Magadh, Tori, Dakra and RCR. With all transport suspended, operators say the logistics network is severely disrupted.

During a meeting on Sunday at Chundru Dham in Keredari, the striking transporters voiced concerns over “baseless penalties and harassment” and resolved to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister seeking immediate relief.

Political reactions followed, with BJP state president and Leader of the Opposition Babulal Marandi accusing the government of shielding corrupt officials. He claimed that a significant part of the extorted money “goes up the chain of power,” and said people in Jharkhand “fear uniformed extortion more than criminal threats.”

With inputs from IANS