Senior Officials Assess Rehabilitation Progress in Jharia
In a significant development for Dhanbad's ongoing rehabilitation efforts, Union Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt accompanied by Coal India chairman-cum-additional secretary Sanoj Kumar Jha conducted a comprehensive review of the Belgadia township on Friday. The high-level visit focused on examining the rehabilitation and development initiatives being implemented by the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA) for families affected by the region's notorious underground fires and land subsidence.
Infrastructure Inspection and Facility Review
The senior officials undertook an extensive inspection of newly constructed facilities within the township, demonstrating the government's commitment to improving living conditions for displaced residents. During their assessment, they examined multiple key installations including:
- The newly constructed JRDA administrative building
- The Belgadia police outpost (TOP)
- The shopping complex designed for community needs
- The middle school serving educational requirements
This thorough examination allowed the officials to evaluate the quality and functionality of infrastructure developed specifically for families who lost their homes due to the Jharia underground fire and subsequent land subsidence issues that have plagued the region for decades.
New Livelihood Opportunities and Direct Engagement
During the visit, Coal Secretary Vikram Dev Dutt inaugurated two significant facilities aimed at enhancing the quality of life for displaced communities. The newly opened Public Distribution System (PDS) shop will ensure reliable access to essential commodities, while a dedicated store allocated to a self-help group (SHG) run by "didis" (sisters) marks a crucial step toward creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for women affected by the displacement.
In a particularly meaningful segment of the visit, the coal secretary engaged in direct conversations with displaced families, listening attentively to their concerns, understanding their expectations, and assessing the progress of rehabilitation efforts from the perspective of those most affected. This personal interaction provided valuable grassroots insight into the effectiveness of current initiatives.
Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan played a pivotal role in the visit, providing detailed briefings to the visiting officials about the comprehensive development initiatives undertaken within the township. His presentation highlighted the multi-faceted approach being implemented to address the complex challenges facing the rehabilitation project.
The visit underscores the continued government focus on resolving one of India's most challenging rehabilitation scenarios, where underground coal fires have necessitated the relocation of thousands of families while developing sustainable communities with adequate infrastructure and economic opportunities.
