CBI’s Raid Yields 1,400 MT Excess Coal At Dumri Yard

Nagpur: A joint surprise inspection by the vigilance departments of South East Central Railway (SECR), Western Coalfields Ltd (WCL), and the CBI Anti-Corruption Wing last week uncovered approximately 1,400 metric tonnes of excess coal at the Dumri Khurd yard.The stacked stock is estimated to be worth nearly 30 lakh in open market, raising concerns about possible irregularities in coal handling operations and theft. Dumri Khurd yard, located in a key coal belt region, serves as a major coal loading point for freight wagons.During loading process, excess coal often spills from wagons due to operational factors, creating accumulated surplus material at the site, said a source. To manage this excess coal efficiently and prevent pilferage, both SECR and WCL appoint separate contractors responsible for clearing and handling surplus. According to sources, the SECR contractor was appointed as recently as Nov 2025.The multi-agency raid was conducted last Friday following multiple tip-offs that the excess coal was allegedly being siphoned off for unauthorised sale, said an official. The officials from all three agencies arrived unannounced in the yard and carried out thorough verification. The officials measured the coal stock, clicked photographs and videos as evidence, collected representative samples for laboratory analysis, and seized relevant documents, registers and records related to coal movement.The raid assumes added significance in light of past allegations that around 17 tippers of coal were illegally removed from the same yard between March 21 and 24 this year.Sources revealed that despite these allegations, a substantial quantity — around 20-25 truck loads — remains stacked at the site, posing a continued risk of unauthorised shifting.The CBI is currently scrutinising all evidence, including transaction records, contractor agreements and movement logs. If any violations, collusion or misappropriation are established, the agency is expected to register a criminal case against the erring contractor and others involved under provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.