Minister urges state support for coal belt rehabilitation; appeals for residents to relocate from danger zones

Dhanbad: Union minister of state for coal and mines Satish Chandra Dubey on Wednesday said that the displacement of people in the coal belt of Jharkhand cannot be resolved without the active cooperation of state govt. Speaking to mediapersons on the first day of his three-day visit to Dhanbad, the minister said the situation in several affected areas remains critical due to underground gas leak and land subsidence.

Addressing the media at Belgaria township, Dubey said that whenever accidents or damages occur in such affected regions, the Centre is often held responsible despite the complex nature of the rehabilitation process. He stressed that coordinated efforts between the Centre, state and local agencies are essential for the successful rehabilitation of people living in danger zones.

The minister appealed to residents of Kenduadih and other subsidence and gas leak-prone areas to shift to safer locations at the earliest. “People living in vulnerable areas should cooperate with authorities and move to secure places for their own safety,” he said.

Dubey said that infrastructure and civic amenities are being expanded at Belgaria township under the ‘Jharia Master Plan 2.0’. He added that employment opportunities and skill development programmes are also being provided to rehabilitated families to help them become self-reliant after relocation.

During his visit, the minister distributed e-rickshaws among rehabilitated families to promote self-employment. The vehicles were provided under the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL).

The minister also reviewed coal production, safety standards and ongoing development projects of BCCL. Officials briefed him on operational activities, ongoing projects and measures being taken to improve mine safety and production efficiency. A detailed review meeting with senior officials was also held.

Dubey also supported Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal for limited use of essential commodities and fuel conservation. He said the world is moving towards a war-like situation and stressed the importance of saving resources such as petrol and diesel. The minister alleged that opposition parties oppose even positive initiatives taken in national interest. He added that the PM’s appeals during the Covid-19 period had helped create a positive atmosphere across the country.

Dubey chaired a high-level review meeting at Koyla Bhawan, where detailed review of project and development activities under the Jharia master plan was undertaken. The minister highlighted the critical role of all sectors in ensuring energy security. He emphasised the need for a balanced approach that integrates production efficiency with rehabilitation. BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Dhanbad deputy commissioner Aditya Ranjan, SSP Prabhat Kumar and other officials attended.