BCCL Marks 31st Anniversary of Gajlitand Mine Disaster, Pays Tribute to 64 Martyr Coal Workers – Indian PSU
On the 31st anniversary of the Gajlitand Colliery mine disaster, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) CMD Manoj Kumar Agarwal and senior officials paid homage to the coal workers who lost their lives in the tragic accident on September 26, 1995.
A tribute meeting was organised at the Gajlitand Martyrs’ Memorial, where Manoj Kumar Agarwal paid floral tribute to the deceased workers and recalled their sacrifice. Senior BCCL officials and employees of the Katras Area also participated in the memorial ceremony.
Those present included Director (Technical/Operations) Sanjay Kumar Singh, Director (Finance/Human Resources) Rajesh Kumar, Director (Technical/Planning & Projects) Rajiv Kumar Sinha, Head of Department (Administration) Manish Mishra and General Manager (Katras) B.K. Jha, besides other officers and employees.
The Gajlitand disaster occurred on September 26, 1995, following continuous torrential rainfall. The heavy rains caused the water level of the nearby Katari River (Katari Nala) to rise sharply, eventually breaching the embankments and flooding the old mine workings.
Water entered the underground sixth pit of Seam No. 10 at Gajlitand Colliery, where around 80 workers were reportedly working. The sudden flooding trapped the miners underground. While 16 workers managed to escape, 64 coal workers lost their lives in the disaster.
The tragedy also resulted in fatalities in other nearby mines, taking the overall death toll from mine accidents during that period to around 79 workers.
Addressing the gathering, Manoj Kumar Agarwal described the Gajlitand disaster as one of the darkest and most painful chapters in BCCL’s mining history. He said the loss of the workers was an irreparable tragedy for their families as well as the entire BCCL family.
He emphasised that the dedication and contribution of the workers who lost their lives must remain a permanent part of BCCL’s institutional memory. Their sacrifice, he said, should continue to reinforce the importance of vigilance, workplace safety and the protection of every worker’s life and dignity.
Senior officials and employees present at the memorial observed the anniversary by paying floral tributes and expressing solidarity with the families of the deceased workers.
The Gajlitand memorial continues to serve as a reminder of the risks faced by coal miners and the enduring responsibility of the mining industry to put safety at the centre of its operations.
