16 HUGHES. — KARANPURA COAL-FIELDS. 



the g-hats are impassable even by the ordinary carts of the country. The 

 only outlet is towards the south-east end of the field. Any demand, 

 however, in that direction would be more readily met by drawing- upon 

 the resources of the Bokaro and south Karanpur a coal-fields. We 

 therefore see, that this Chano basin is not adapted to contribute towards 

 meeting the requirements that may possibly in the future be made upon 

 the coal supplies of the Karanpiira field. 



Passing from Chano westward, there is an ascent to the high land 

 upon which Lurunga stands : and thence, there is a ' descent into the 

 main plain of the coal-measures. 



There are two seams to the east of Lurunga, one of which is very 



thick, and contains good coal. Its dip is low, and 

 Coal at Llirunga. 



it can be easily worked, but its position is not 



good, being difficult of access owing to the hilly nature of the ground 



and the absence of roads. 



Near Indra, a village two miles south of Lurunga, there is one 

 seam. At its outcrop it has not the appearance of being of any value, 

 and its situation, as in the case of the preceding coal beds, is equally 

 unsuitable for mining operations. 



There is a difference in the levels of the Barakar rocks in the Chano 

 basin and those around Lurunga and Indra. Mr. Williams, who also 

 noted this fact, ascribed it to a north and south fault, along the edge of 

 the inlier of gneiss and having a downthrow to the east. There is -no 

 evidence, however, in my opinion, to support this view ; and a simple 

 flexure of the strata steeper on the one slope than the other would 

 account for the difference of level. 



The Barakar sandstones to the west of Lurunga are felspathic and 

 friable, and of a greyish white color. They sweep round steadily to 

 the southern boundary, and form a strongly marked horizon in the group, 

 and a prominent physical feature of the country. As they extend towards 

 Passaria, they become altered to a great extent at the surface by the 



( 300 ) 



