PabloLabarre at 13:46, 9 November 2025

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{{Short description|Operational area of Eastern Coalfields Limited in West Bengal, India}}
{{Other uses|Kenda (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox mine
| name = Kenda Area
| image =
| width =
| caption =
| pushpin_map = India West Bengal#India
| pushpin_label = Kenda Area
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in West Bengal
| coordinates = {{coord|23.6673|N| 87.1793|E|region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| place =
| owner = [[Eastern Coalfields|Eastern Coalfields Limited]]
| official website = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/
| acquisition year =
| stock_exchange =
| stock_code =
| products = Non-coking coal
| financial year =
| amount =
| closing year =
}}
'''Kenda Area''' is one of the 14 operational areas of [[Eastern Coalfields|Eastern Coalfields Limited]] located mostly in [[Durgapur subdivision]] and partly in [[Asansol subdivision]] of [[Paschim Bardhaman district]] in the state of [[West Bengal]], India.

==Geography==
{{OSM Location map
| width=370| height=200| zoom=12
| coord={{coord|23|39|57|N|87|11|25|E}}| float=left|caption='''Collieries in the Kenda Area of Eastern Coalfields''' U: Underground Colliery, O: Open Cast Colliery, S: Mining support, A: Administrative headquarters Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1={{coord|23|38|57|N|87|12|30|E}} | label-pos1=right|label1= Siduli Colliery| numbered1=U| mark-title1= Siduli Colliery (U)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1=#800000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|40|23|N|87|12|8|E}} | label-pos2=left|label2= Chhora Block Incline | numbered2=U| mark-title2= Chora Block Incline (U)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|39|58|N|87|09|59|E}} | label-pos3=left|label3= New Kenda Colliery | numbered3=U| mark-title3= New Kenda Colliery (U)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|39|25|N|87|10|13|E}} | label-pos4=left|label4= Bahula Colliery| numbered4=U| mark-title4= Bahula Colliery (U)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|39|15|N|87|11|53|E}} | label-pos5=left|label5= CL Jambad|labela5= Colliery | numbered5=U| mark-title5= CL Jambad Colliery (U)
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|40|45|N|87|12|8|E}} | label-pos6=left|label6= Haripur Colliery | numbered6=U| mark-title6= Haripur Colliery (U)
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|39|44|N|87|13|33|E}} | label-pos7=left|label7=ECL Kenda Area Office | numbered7=A| mark-title7=ECL Kenda Area Office (A)|shape-color7=black| label-size7=13|label-color7=black
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|40|2|N|87|11|35|E}} | label-pos8=right|label8= ECL Chhora Hospital| numbered8=S| mark-title8= ECL Chhora Hospital (S)}}

===Location===
The Kenda Area is located around {{coord|23.6673|N| 87.1793|E|region:IN|}}

The Kenda Area is bounded by the rural areas of [[Jamuria (community development block)|Jamuria]] and [[Pandabeswar (community development block)|Pandabeswar]] CD Blocks on the north, [[Sonpur Bazari]] and [[Bankola Area]] on the east, [[Kajora Area]] on the south, and [[Kunustoria Area]] on the west.<ref name=google>Google maps</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kajora_Area#/media/File:ECL_Area_Map.jpg| title = ECL Area Map | publisher = ENVIS Centre on Environmental Problems of Mining | access-date = 18 August 2018}}</ref>{{Circular reference|date=November 2020}}

The map alongside shows some of the collieries in the Area. However, as the collieries do not have individual pages, there are no links in the full screen map.

===Coal===
As per the Shodhganga website, collieries in the Kenda Area are: [[New Kenda]], Bahula, Lower Kenda, Haripur, Chora, Chora Incline, Siduli, C.I. Jambad and Chora OCP .<ref>{{cite web| url = http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/66080/13/13_chapter%205.pdf |title = Coalmining impact on the Environment |work = Chapter V: Table 5.2 | publisher= shodganga.infibnet | access-date = 18 August 2018}}</ref>

As per ECL website telephone numbers, operational collieries in the Kenda Area in 2018 are: Bahula Colliery, Chora Block Incline, CI Jambad Colliery, Chora OCP, Haripur Colliery, Lower Kenda Colliery, New Kenda Colliery, Siduli Colliery, SK OCP, West Kenda OCP.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.easterncoal.gov.in/contactus/cugtel/kajora.pdf | title = Area wise Closed User Group (CUG) Telephone Numbers | work = Kajora Area | publisher = Eastern Coalfields Limited | access-date = 18 August 2018}}</ref>

[[File:ECL Area Map.jpg|thumb|right|500px|Operational Areas of ECL (Source:[http://ismenvis.nic.in/Database/Parascole_West_Colliery_06071999_9295.aspx ENVIS Centre on Environmental Problems of Mining])]]

==Mining plan==
An overview of the proposed mining activity plan in Cluster 11 of 11 mines in Kenda Area (including some mines in adjoining areas), as of 2016, is as follows:<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/Form-1A/Minutes/0_0_21115125712121FinalMOMof51stEACheldon5thFeb,2016.pdf | title = Minutes of the 51st EAC (Thermal & Coal mining projects) meeting was held on 5th February, 2016 | work = Pages 3-4, Agenda 51.2| publisher = Ministry of Coal | access-date = 19 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/modification/PreviousTOR/0_0_23122015IV5ICTORCL11.pdf | title = Cluster No. 11, 2012 | publisher = Coal India | access-date = 19 August 2018}}</ref> 
1. Krishnanagar underground mine has an annual capacity of 0.05 million tonnes and an expected life of over 25 years. 
2. Haripur UG mine has an annual capacity of 0.75 million tonnes and an expected life of 15 years. 
3. Chhora Block Incline (UG) has an annual capacity of 0.10 mt and an expected life of over 25 years, Bonbahal open cast patch has an annual capacity of 0.50 mt and an expected life of 3 years. 
4. Chhora 7,8 &9 pits (UG) has an annual capacity of 0.15 mt and an expected life of over 25 years, Shankarpur/ Jambad OC patch has an annual capacity of 0.80 mt and an expected life of 6 years. 
5. New Kenda UG mine has an annual capacity of 0.05 mt and an expected life of over 25 years. West Kenda OC patch has an annual capacity of 0.75 mt and an expected life of 6 years. New Kenda OC patch has an annual capacity of 1.20 mt and an expected life of 8 years. 
6. Lower Kenda UG mine has an annual capacity of 0.15 mt and an expected life of over 25 years. 
7. Bahula UG mine has an annual capacity of 0.25 mt and an expected life of over 25 years. 
8. CL Jambad UG has an annual capacity of 0.05 mt and an expected life of over 25 years. 
9. Siduli is a mixed mine. Siduli OC patch with an annual capacity of 1.2 mt and an expected life of 6 years will be followed by Siduli UG mine with an annual capacity of 1.02 mt and an expected life of over 25 years. 
10. Khandra UG mine has an annual capacity of 0.20 mt and an expected life of over 25 years. 
11. In Shankarpur Project OC mining with annual capacity of 2.00 mt and an expected life of 4 years will be followed by Shankarpur UG with annual capacity of 1.16 mt and expected life of over 25 years.

{{OSM Location map
| width=430| height=350| zoom=11
| coord={{coord|23|39|20|N|87|15|10|E}}| float=left|caption='''Cities, towns and ECL Areas in the northern portion of Durgapur subdivision in Paschim Bardhaman district''' MC: Municipal Corporation, CT: census town, R: rural administrative centre Owing to space constraints in the small map, the actual locations in a larger map may vary slightly
|mark-coord1= {{coord|23|44|4|N|87|14|22|E}} | label-pos1=left|label1= Kendra Khottamdi | numbered1=CT| mark-title1=[[Kendra Khottamdi]] (CT)|label-color1=#800000 |label-size1=11| mark-size1=12|shape1=l-circle|shape-color1= #A40000|shape-outline1=white|label-offset-x1=2
|mark-coord2={{coord|23|36|40|N|87|16|28|E}} | label-pos2=right|label2= Ichhapur| numbered2=CT| mark-title2=[[Ichhapur, Paschim Bardhaman|Ichhapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord3={{coord|23|38|6|N|87|16|3|E}} | label-pos3=right|label3= Sarpi| numbered3=CT| mark-title3=[[Sarpi, Paschim Bardhaman|Sarpi]] (CT)
|mark-coord4={{coord|23|39|49|N|87|18|0|E}} | label-pos4=right|label4= Nabaghanapur| numbered4=CT| mark-title4=[[Nabaghanapur]] (CT)
|mark-coord5={{coord|23|41|5|N|87|18|6|E}} | label-pos5=right|label5= Sirsha| numbered5=CT| mark-title5=[[Sirsha, India|Sirsha]] (CT)
|mark-coord6={{coord|23|42|44|N|87|19|26|E}} | label-pos6=right|label6= Banagram| numbered6=CT| mark-title6=[[Banagram, Paschim Bardhaman|Banagram]] (CT)
|mark-coord7={{coord|23|42|10|N|87|18|37|E}} | label-pos7=bottom|label7= Mandarbani| numbered7=CT| mark-title7=[[Mandarbani]] (CT)
|mark-coord8={{coord|23|39|5|N|87|11|20|E}} | label-pos8=left|label8= Bahula| numbered8=CT| mark-title8=[[Bahula]] (CT)
|mark-coord9={{coord|23|40|25|N|87|11|55|E}} | label-pos9=right|label9= Chhora| numbered9=CT| mark-title9=[[Chhora]] (CT)
|mark-coord10={{coord|23|41|10|N|87|11|50|E}} | label-pos10=right|label10= Haripur| numbered10=CT| mark-title10=[[Haripur, Paschim Bardhaman|Haripur]] (CT)
|mark-coord11={{coord|23|40|15|N|87|14|5|E}} | label-pos11=right|label11= Sankarpur| numbered11=CT| mark-title11=[[Sankarpur, Paschim Bardhaman|Sankarpur]] (CT)
|mark-coord12={{coord|23|40|47|N|87|14|41|E}} | label-pos12=left|label12= Nabgram| numbered12=CT| mark-title12=[[Nabgram]] (CT)
|mark-coord13={{coord|23|40|40|N|87|15|53|E}} | label-pos13=right|label13= Konardihi| numbered13=CT| mark-title13=[[Konardihi]] (CT)
|mark-coord14={{coord|23|42|35|N|87|17|22|E}} | label-pos14=right|label14= Mahal| numbered14=CT| mark-title14=[[Mahal, Paschim Bardhaman|Mahal]] (CT)
|mark-coord15={{coord|23|43|12|N|87|16|42|E}} | label-pos15=right|label15= Baidyanathpur| numbered15=CT| mark-title15=[[Baidyanathpur, Paschim Bardhaman|Baidyanathpur]] (CT)
|mark-coord16={{coord|23|42|49|N|87|15|13|E}} | label-pos16=left|label16= Dalurband| numbered16=CT| mark-title16=[[Dalurband]] (CT)
|mark-coord17={{coord|23|43|40|N|87|15|45|E}} | label-pos17=left|label17= Ramnagar| numbered17=CT| mark-title17=[[Ramnagar, Pandaveswar|Ramnagar]] (CT)
|mark-coord18={{coord|23|43|14|N|87|14|5|E}} | label-pos18=left|label18= Bilpahari| numbered18=CT| mark-title18=[[Bilpahari]] (CT)
|mark-coord19={{coord|23|38|35|N|87|15|40|E}} | label-pos19=right|label19= Chak Bankola| numbered19=CT| mark-title19=[[Chak Bankola]] (CT)
|mark-coord20={{coord|23|38|29|N|87|11|22|E}} | label-pos20=right|label20= Parashkol| numbered20=CT| mark-title20=[[Parashkol]] (CT)
|mark-coord21={{coord|23|40|0|N|87|13|33|E}} | label-pos21=left|label21=ECL Kenda |labela21= Area Office |numbered21=0| mark-title21=ECL Kenda Area Office (A)|shape-color21=black| label-size21=13|label-color21=black 
|mark-coord22={{coord|23|43|39|N|87|16|20|E}} | label-pos22= right|label22=ECL Pandaveswar Area Office | numbered22=0| mark-title22=[[Pandaveswar Area|ECL Pandaveswar Area Office]] (A)|shape-color22=#AA6666| label-size22=12
|mark-coord23={{coord|23|39|49|N|87|14|13|E}} | label-pos23=right|label23=ECL Bankola|labela23= Area Office | numbered23=0| mark-title23=[[Bankola Area|ECL Bankola Area Office]] (A)|shape-color23= #AA6666|label-size23=12
|mark-coord24={{coord|23|40|21|N|87|17|15|E}} | label-pos24=right|label24=ECL Jhanjhra Area Office | numbered24=0| mark-title24=[[Jhanjra|ECL Jhanjhra Area Office]] (A)|shape-color24=#AA6666| label-size24=12
|mark-coord25={{coord|23|40|50|N|87|10|50|E}} | label-pos25=left|label25=ECL |labela25= Sonpur Bazari|labelb25 = Area Office | numbered25=0| mark-title25=[[Sonpur Bazari|ECL Sonpur Bazari Area Office]] (A)|shape-color25=#AA6666| label-size25=12
|mark-coord26={{coord|23|34|12|N|87|16|48|E}} | label-pos26=right|label-color26=#800000| label26=Durgapur | numbered26=MC| mark-title26=[[Durgapur]] (MC)|shape-color14=#800000
|mark-coord27={{coord|23|39|25|N|87|18|27|E}} | label-pos27=right|label-color27=#C42222| label27= Laudoha | numbered27=R| mark-title27=[[Laudoha]] (R)|shape-color27=#C42222
|mark-coord28={{coord|23|42|25|N|87|16|18|E}} | label-pos28=left|label-color28=#C42222| label28= Pandabeswar | numbered28=R| mark-title28=[[Pandabeswar]] (R)|shape-color28=#C42222
|mark-coord29={{coord|23|39|0|N|87|17|33|E}} | label-pos29=right|label-color29=#C42222| label29= Tilaboni | numbered29=R| mark-title29=[[Tilaboni]] (R)|shape-color29=#C42222
|mark-coord30={{coord|23|39|0|N|87|15|55|E}} | label-pos30=left|label-color30=#C42222| label30= Shyamsundarpur | numbered30=R| mark-title30=[[Shyamsundarpur, Paschim Bardhaman]] (R)|shape-color30=#C42222
|mark-coord31={{coord|23|42|15|N|87|20|48|E}} | label-pos31=right|label-color31=#C42222| label31= Madhaipur | numbered31=R| mark-title31=[[Madhaipur]] (R)|shape-color31=#C42222
|mark-coord32={{coord|23.75125|87.16556}}| label32=Ajay River| label-color32 = #77A1CB| label-angle32=0| label-pos32=right| label-size32=10| mark-size32=0| mark-title32 =none
|mark-coord33={{coord|23.554889|87.166754}}| label33=Damodar River| label-color33 = #77A1CB| label-angle33=20| label-pos33=top| label-size33=10| mark-size33=0| mark-title33 =none}}

==Open-cast mine at Kenda==
In a study regarding the feasibility of an open cast mine at Kenda, it was mentioned that both R-V and R-VI seams had been extensively developed and underground mining carried out for many years. 13.6 million tonnes of good quality coal was lying blocked in the pillars. Open cast mining was recommended for taking out this coal, as well as coal from a virgin R-VIIB seam, which otherwise was difficult to mine because of low thickness of the seam. Once the coal from the upper seams is taken out, the quarry is to be backfilled and underground mining of the lower seams can be undertaken. The total area of the coal block is about 7 km2. About 300 acres of land was required for the project, a proposal in which land owners evinced interest in lieu of compensation including employment. The employment potential of the project was much higher than the number of landowners. In addition, the area could benefit from [[Corporate social responsibility|CSR]]-related activities. Water supply arrangements for Kenda mouza was already in progress.<ref name=survey>{{cite web | url = http://environmentclearance.nic.in/writereaddata/modification/Amendment/Attach_file/06072018FT94RNHMSociostudyofNKOCP.pdf | title = A Demographic Survey and Socioeconomic Study for the Project Affected People (PAP) and NON- PAP People of New Kenda OCP, West Burdwan District | work = Pages 16,18 | publisher = Indian Institute of Forest Management, Nehru Nagar, Bhopal (MP) 462003 | access-date = 19 August 2018}}</ref>

As of 2018, West Kenda OCP is in operation around where the New Kenda Colliery is.<ref name=survey/><ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.energetica-india.net/news/mines-closing-abandoned-discontinued-due-to-exhaustion-of-reserves-safety--economic- | title = Mines closing/ abandoned/ discontinued| publisher = energetica | access-date = 19 August 2018}}</ref>

==Fire in New Kenda Colliery in 1994==
"On 25.1.1994 at about 3.30 p.m. a fire broke out in the workings of Dobrana seam at New Kenda Colliery. The fire occurred in the main intake airway close to the downcast shaft. Smoke and noxious gases from the fire spread to the working places and caused the death of 55 persons. This has been the worst fire disaster of this century in Indian mines." The fire could not be extinguished immediately and the fire area had to be sealed off. The fire died down after about one and a half years. After the fire died down, heavy roof fall was observed in the sealed off galleries.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://ismenvis.nic.in/Database/New_Kenda_Colliery_2511994_9326.aspx | title = New Kenda Colliery, 25.1.94 | publisher = ENVIS centre on Environmental Problems of Mining | access-date = 19 August 2018 | archive-date = 20 August 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180820141127/http://ismenvis.nic.in/Database/New_Kenda_Colliery_2511994_9326.aspx | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Subsidence==
Traditionally many underground collieries have left a void after taking out the coal. As a result, almost all areas are facing subsidence. As per CMPDIL, there were 9 points of subsidence in the Kenda Area involving 120.96 hectares of land.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://shodhganga.inflibnet.ac.in/bitstream/10603/66080/13/13_chapter%205.pdf | title = Coal mining impact on the environment | work = Pages 78-81 | publisher = Shodhganga | access-date = 18 August 2018}}</ref>

==Migrants==
Prior to the advent of coal mining, the entire region was a low-productive rice crop area in what was once a part of the [[Jungle Mahals]]. The ownership of land had passed on from local [[adivasi]]s to agricultural castes before mining started. However, the [[Santal people|Santhals]] and the [[Bauris]], referred to by the colonial administrators as "traditional coal cutters of Raniganj" remained attached to their lost land and left the mines for agricultural related work, which also was more remunerative. It forced the mine-owners to bring in outside labour, mostly from Bihar, Odisha and Uttar Pradesh. In time the migrants dominated the mining and industrial scenario. The pauperization and alienation of the adivasis have been major points of social concern.<ref name=illegalmining1>{{cite web | url = https://www.academia.edu/3141696 | title = Unintended Collieries: People and Resources in Eastern India | first= Kuntala|last=Lahiri-Dutt | work= Resource Management in Asia-Pacific, Working Paper No. 44, 2003| date = January 2003 | publisher = RMAP Working Papers | access-date = 11 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://inet.vidyasagar.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1245/2/2.pdf | title = Industrialisation and Emergence of Labour Force in Bengal during The Colonial Period: Its Socio-Economic Impact | first = Nirban | last = Basu | work = Vidyasagar University Journal of History | volume = 1 | date = 2012–2013 | access-date = 11 August 2018 | archive-date = 17 July 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180717070651/http://inet.vidyasagar.ac.in:8080/jspui/bitstream/123456789/1245/2/2.pdf | url-status = dead }}</ref>

==Transport==
{{Andal–Sainthia branch line|collapse=yes}}
The [[Andal-Sainthia branch line]] passes through this Area.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://indiarailinfo.com/train/timetable/andal-sainthia-memu-63531/18253/5/438 |title = 73531=>63531 Andal-Sainthia MEMU |work = Time Table | publisher= indiarailinfo | access-date = 18 August 2018}}</ref>

[[National Highway 14 (India)|NH 14]] (old number NH 60) pass through the edges of Kenda Area.<ref name="renumber">{{cite web|url=http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/finaldoc6143316640.pdf|title=Rationalisation of Numbering Systems of National Highways|publisher=[[Department of Road Transport and Highways]]|access-date=10 February 2017|location=New Delhi|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201124738/http://dorth.gov.in/writereaddata/sublinkimages/finaldoc6143316640.pdf|archive-date=1 February 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Vivek (singer)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Operational Areas of ECL}}
{{Paschim Bardhaman topics}}

[[Category:Coal mining operational areas in West Bengal]]

Kenda Area - Revision history

PabloLabarre at 13:46, 9 November 2025