SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Nov 28: Union Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt on Friday visited Belagaria Township, where families displaced from the Jharia fire zone have been rehabilitated. During the visit, he announced that the government aims to transform the township into a model colony equipped with advanced facilities.
Dutt inspected existing civic amenities, interacted with residents, and assured them that all basic services available in other Dhanbad colonies would be extended to Belagaria as well.
Belagaria Township was developed by the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA) to house families living in areas affected by underground mine fires and land subsidence.
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According to official estimates, over 1.4 lakh families reside in dangerous zones, but only around 4,000 have been relocated to safer locations so far.
Residents Demand Better Services and Infrastructure
The Coal Secretary also inaugurated the new JRDA administrative building in Belagaria. Residents raised demands for improved educational facilities, a designated graveyard, access to government welfare schemes, and other essential amenities.
“The government plans to turn Belagaria into a model township. Under this project, water supply, electricity, security, employment support and other basic facilities will be ensured for residents,” Dutt said.
Senior Officials Accompany Visit; Review Meeting Planned
Coal India Limited (CIL) Chairman Sanoj Kumar Jha, BCCL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Manoj Kumar Agrawal, and Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan accompanied the Coal Secretary. The team also planted saplings in the township as part of the visit.
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During his two-day tour of Dhanbad, the Coal Secretary will inspect fire-affected areas in Jharia and conduct a review meeting with BCCL and JRDA officials to expedite the relocation of families living in hazardous zones.
