AGARTALA, December 19 (TIWN): The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has undertaken a diverse study after a coal-like substance was found in Tripura. Tripura seems to have struck a new deposit of coal in a major advancement to its recent desires of exploring mineral resources underground.Talking to TIWN today Gandacherra SDM Bhaskar Dasgupta informed that the 4 members central Geological Survey of India (GSI) on their arrival here in Tripura on December 17 took the sample of coal at the regional laboratory centre. He said that the team would send a report of the coal sample within the month of December.A four-member team of GSI conducted wide-ranging studies on Wednesday to confirm the coal reserves in the mountainous areas - Thakukchuracherra village (under Gandacherra sub-division in northern Tripura). SDM Mr. Dasgupta also said that the coal-like substances found so far seemed to be mature coal and it was certain that there were huge coal reserves in the area, bordering Bangladesh.Huge coal reserve is likely to be discovered at Kailasahar. After Gandacherra, now huge coal like substance was found in a diminutive hill of Unokoti range at Tailenbari area, located at a distance of 10 kilometer from Kailasahar town.

Adding to it Mr. Dasgupta further said that if the report comes out positive and say that the substances found recently at Gandacherra area is coal, than the state forest department will take the charge of it and if the state is found economically viable than the state govt. will take certain steps to take a stock of the situation.

However it is also to be mentioned here that another coal substances was found recently at Tailenbari, some 6 Km away from Kailashar-Kumarghat road.

The workers engaged by one DD Construction agency hit hard black ‘stones’ during excavation work which was later reported to officials ff 12 battalion of  the Tripura State Rifles (TSR) engaged in security duty in the area.The news spread fast and the expert delegation comprising SDM Bhaskar Dasgupta, Forest Ranger Manimoy Sharma visited the area and collected samples of the material. Later, District Magistrate Milind Revenue asked the Department of Revenue to send an expert team to assess the situation.

Coal like substances were discovered in Tailenbari, Unakoti range. Kailashahar. TIWN Pic Dec 19

The Geological Survey of India earlier indicated presence of substantial coal reserves in several areas of undivided South and North Tripura districts in 2010.

The government’s apex and mineral exploration agency suggested that the areas might have good reserves of sub-bitumen grade of coal that could be used in user industries including steel and power. However, the possibilities couldn’t be furthered as experts suggested the deposits to be minimal.

In a recent move showing further interest in the sector, the state government recruited a geologist in the Department of Industries and Commerce – the first in its history, to explore possibilities of exploiting mineral resources in Tripura.

However, extent of the deposit could be ascertained after expert tests only.