The Barapukuria coal mine yard in Dinajpur is now storing more than twice its designed capacity, with stocks continuing to rise and raising concerns over fire hazards, possible heap collapse and declining coal quality.

State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid says the Barapukuria Coal Mine authority started supplying 100 tonnes of coal from yesterday to Barapukuria Thermal Power Plant for generating electricity.

Petrobangla Chairman Abul Mansur Md Faizullah yesterday said taking coal out of the Barapukuria coal mine yard would not have been possible if its staffers had not been involved in the act.