SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, July 4: Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner (DC) Aditya Ranjan, who also serves as Managing Director of the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA), has directed officials to verify the legal land documents of residents living in Jharia’s fire-affected areas and initiate their relocation to safer zones.
Presiding over a JRDA review meeting, the DC instructed officials of the Circle Office and Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) to organize special verification camps. These camps will assess the land ownership status of families residing in the hazardous fire zones of Jharia coalfield.
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Survey Identifies Over 1.4 Lakh Families in Fire Zones
According to the 2019 survey, a total of 1,40,946 families were found living across 595 fire-affected mining areas in the Jharia region. Out of these, 32,064 families were identified as legal land title holders (LTH), while 72,882 families were categorized as non-title holders (non-LTH).
Despite residing in dangerous conditions, many legal landowners are demanding substantial compensation before vacating their homes. On the other hand, unauthorized residents—many of whom survive by collecting coal—are asking for alternative livelihood support to ensure survival post-relocation.
Resistance to Relocation Citing Poor Infrastructure
The JRDA has developed Belagaria Township, located around 15 kilometers from the fire zone, to accommodate unauthorized residents. However, most families have shown reluctance to relocate, citing the lack of essential amenities and infrastructure in the township.
Emphasizing the urgency of the situation, DC Aditya Ranjan instructed officials to expedite the relocation of maximum non-title holder families—those occupying BCCL land without legal ownership—to safe locations.
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Skill Development Programs for Relocated Families
To ensure long-term rehabilitation, the DC also directed concerned departments to introduce skill development programs for residents being shifted to Belagaria Township. The aim is to help them build sustainable livelihoods after relocation.
Authorities have been asked to prioritize both safety and social rehabilitation as part of the ongoing efforts to address the long-standing crisis in Jharia’s fire-affected areas.
