SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad Sept 4: For speedy rehabilitation of affected families, the district administration has ordered conducting a drone survey of Jharia fire and subsidence-prone inhabitant areas.
Deputy Commissioner (DC) Sandip Singh has directed Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) to conduct a drone survey of families living in identified 595 fire spots in 34 locations of the Jharia fire zone so that the main stumbling block in rehabilitation could be removed.
The Deputy Commissioner, who is also managing director of Jharia Rehabilitation Development Authority (JRDA) meant for implementing the Jharia Master Plan, has also directed the coal company (BCCL) authorities to arrange a satellite image of the fire zone from an authorized agency and submit detail report on the present status of an inhabitant living in areas.
While reviewing Jharia inferno with JRDA, BCCL, Central Mining Planning and Design Institute (CMPDI), Rail India Technical and Economic Services (RITES) officials, the deputy commissioner said that 2004 and 2009 cut off date ( fixing residents living in the dangerous zone) of unauthorized inhabitants could be revised for speedy rehabilitation at a safe place.
Survey reports on families living in the fire zone have become the main stumbling block for JRDA authorities in shifting them to a safe place.
A total of 5400 families were identified in the fire zone in the first survey conducted by BCCL in 2004. In the second survey conducted in 2009, the number increased to 91,171, and in the third survey, 104.946 families claimed to be residents for shifting.
“Of course, the cut-off mark would be revised on basis of satellite images after the 2009 survey for speedy shifting of residents to a safe place from dangerous areas,” said the deputy commissioner.
At the meeting, Sandip Singh, who has assumed office recently, also reviewed the progress of DPR on the alternative of coal fire affected 34 km long Dhanbad- Chandrapur rail line. On the report of Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), Railway Board had closed the Dhanbad- Chandrapura rail line due to underground fire danger. However, it was opened on February 24, 2019.
