Fatal accident from overturning of employee bus at Dulanga Coal Mine (NTPC)

भारत सरकार श्रम एंव रोजगार मंत्रालय खान सुरक्षा महाननदेशालय SAFETY ALERT: 12/2025 Dhanbad, dated 2 0 . 0 8 . 2 0 2 5 SUBJECT: Fatal accident occurred due to overturning of bus carrying mine employees at Dulanga Coal Mine Project (OC) of M/s NTPC Limited

1. Name of Mine :

Dulanga Coal Mining Project

2. Name of Owner :

M/s NTPC Limited District :

Sundargarh State :

Odisha

3. Mineral :

Coal

4. Date and time of accident :

27.04.2025, 10:20 PM

5. Place of accident :

Transportation Road near CHP of the mine

6. Killed :

Name: Nityanand Pradhan Designation: Dumper Operator Age: 58 Years Experience: 5 years in the mine as a Dumper Operator

7. Seriously Injured :

Nil

8. Brief Cause : The accident took place on the LMV transportation road while a bus carrying persons employed in the mine overturned resulting in fatal injuries to the person who was standing near the door which was remained kept open.

9. Sketch/Photos showing the accident:

10. Best Practices  Ensure all buses/LMVs used for employee transportation are fit, well-maintained, and periodically inspected.

 Provide automatic door-locking mechanisms or alarms to prevent open-door movement.

 Maintain LMV transportation roads in safe condition: proper drainage, gradient, width, lighting, and signage.

 Mandatory enforcement of rest periods for all drivers; no duty continuation without relief staff.

 Strict compliance with SOPs for LMV uses — ensure all passengers are seated and doors are locked before movement.

 Pre-trip checks and clearance by shift supervisors before vehicle dispatch.

 Use of checklists and logbooks for documenting fitness and safety compliance before each trip.

*Safety Alert, a tool utilized by DGMS, informs the mining industry about potential safety issues and offers recommendations to prevent such incident.

Directorate General of Mines Safety: 123 years in the service of the nation