within 25 Kms. of mining area is to check illegal mining and theft of coal. Therefore, it is the aerial distance and not the road distance which has to be taken into consideration to find out whether the proposed coal storage depot, in respect of which, the license is to be granted, is situated within the prohibited area. According to him, the road distance cannot be taken as basis because roads are zig-zag and the depot may- be situated at a very short distance from the coal mines, in which case, it will become convenient and conducive for illegal mining and theft of coal. Taking into consideration all these aspects, competent authorities formed opinion that the distance of 25 Kms. from mining area has to be measured radially through aerial distance only which will ensure that irrespective of zig-zag road distance, all the storage depots are situated and allowed to operate from a comfortable distance of 25 Kms. from the coal mines. Each of the petitioners were duly noticed and only thereafter, finding that aerial distance was less than 25 Kms., licenses have been cancelled. He further submits that if the petitioners apply for grant of license to run storage depot at a place which is situated beyond prohibited limit of 25 Kms. of aerial distance, their applications would be duly considered by the competent authority.
