Dhanbad mine fire: Non-BCCL staff won’t shift

The raging underground fire in the Jharia coal mines here has put lives of thousands of families living in the surrounding areas at risk, prompting the BCCL to construct a new colony to relocate them.

However, the non-BCCL employee residents of the belt have refused to shift to the new colony offered by the Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), citing lesser space than their present homes. The residents complained of itching in their eyes and headache during emission of smoke from the mine fire. 

“My family has received eviction notice from the authorities of Jharia,” a resident said. Her neighbours at Ghanudih have also received notices’. The BCCL has already offered alternative houses to her and others in the neighbourhood at Jharia Vehar Colony at Benagaria, 20 km from their colony.