SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 4: Panic struck the 11 No. Harijan Basti in the Modih colliery of Sizua Area, Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), on Monday morning when a sudden land subsidence occurred in a fire zone. Thick smoke began billowing from the crater, causing alarm among the residents living approximately 18 kilometres from the Dhanbad district headquarters.
Upon waking up, the residents found the sky completely enveloped in smoke, with many experiencing suffocations from the noxious fumes. The proximity of the Basti—just half a kilometre away from the incident site—heightened the urgency of the situation.
Safety concerns and unauthorized settlement
The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) has previously declared the area a dangerous underground mine fire zone and a subsidence-prone zone. Furthermore, the Harijan Basti is situated on unauthorized land belonging to Bharat Coking Coal Limited, raising concerns about the safety of its residents.
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Subsidence and smoke emission are common phenomena in the fire-affected regions of Dhanbad. Faced with suffocation from the poisonous gas, the residents promptly informed BCCL officials at the Modih colliery to take necessary action.
Lack of response from coal company
As of late afternoon, the coal company was yet to initiate any measures to fill the crater and mitigate the smoke emissions.
The Basti, which houses a population of approximately 500, remains at risk as its residents endure the hazardous conditions without recourse to agitation for their rescue as they are living at their own risk in a dangerous fire zone.
The precarious situation highlights the ongoing risks faced by communities living near fire-affected areas, emphasizing the need for immediate action and safety measures to protect vulnerable populations.
