SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Dec 4: Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) PB Area management has ordered the eviction of over 1,000 families after poisonous carbon monoxide gas leaked from different places in Kenduadih Basti, around 15 km from the Dhanbad district headquarters.
People Fall Ill, One Woman Found Dead
Following the gas leakage, several residents of Rajput Basti fell ill.
A woman, Priyanka Devi (28), was reportedly found dead in her room. Officials said the cause of death will be known only after the post-mortem report.
Emergency Measures by BCCL
PB Colliery Area General Manager G.C. Saha told the media that three ambulances have been deployed in the basti to shift any resident to the hospital immediately if they show symptoms related to gas exposure.
Since the area is already declared a dangerous zone due to underground mine fires, the coal company has pasted eviction notices and made announcements through a public address system.
“The company is arranging to shift residents to a safe place. For the safety of life and property, we have already requested people to leave the dangerous zone,” said G.C. Saha.
He added that all gas leakage points have been filled.
MLA Visits Affected Areas
Dhanbad Sadar MLA Raj Sinha also visited the affected bastis and requested BCCL officials to arrange rehabilitation for the impacted families.
Gas Leakage Reported From Multiple Locations
According to BCCL officials, gas leakage was reported near the BCCL guest house, Rajput Basti, and Imambada Muhalla.
All three areas fall under the underground fire zone.
Residents alleged that gas leakage was being reported since Monday, but coal company officials did not take it seriously as they were busy with the Ena Colliery visit of Dr P.K. Mishra, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Situation Escalates on Wednesday
The coal company took action on Wednesday evening after more than a dozen residents of Rajput Basti complained of vomiting, headache, and breathlessness.
They were admitted to different hospitals and later discharged after first aid.
Panic spread in the area after Priyanka Devi was found dead. She was alone in the house, and the room was locked from the inside.