Panic has erupted in the Kenduadih police station area of Dhanbad, Jharkhand, following a suspected toxic gas leak from an abandoned mine. The incident has resulted in two fatalities within 24 hours and has forced authorities to consider the evacuation of nearly 10,000 residents from the affected zones.
Administrative Scramble and Public Outrage
In response to the escalating crisis, Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan has constituted a probe committee to determine responsibility and recommend corrective measures. An emergency meeting was convened on Thursday with officials from Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), health, disaster management, and the Jharkhand Regional Development Authority (JRDA).
The DC pointed out poor coordination and a lack of promptness in the initial rescue efforts. He has directed BCCL to immediately establish a tent city equipped with water, food, electricity, toilets, and round-the-clock medical support for those who will be relocated.
The Human Cost and Mounting Anger
The situation turned critical after the death of Lalita Devi on Thursday morning. This came just a day after another local woman, Priyanka Devi, died under similar circumstances. While officials await post-mortem reports for confirmation, residents describe terrifying symptoms.
"The condition of the deceased woman deteriorated rapidly, with symptoms like frothing from the mouth," said local resident Pradeep Kumar Thakur. He claimed doctors indicated the death could be due to toxic gas exposure and respiratory failure. Thakur warned that 15–20 people in the locality are currently ill, and the situation could worsen if the leak is not sealed soon.
Frustration boiled over on Thursday as hundreds of residents blocked the crucial Dhanbad–Ranchi main road for nearly four hours. Protesters burned tyres and shouted slogans against the district administration and BCCL, demanding immediate rehabilitation and urgent action to plug the gas source. The blockade was lifted only after talks between the administration and agitated villagers.
Years of Neglect and a Call for Permanent Solutions
Residents like Sheikh Mohammad criticized years of administrative inaction. "Despite repeated notices declaring the area unsafe, no suitable alternative accommodation had been provided. The gas has spread across the entire locality, and people are falling sick every day," he said.
BCCL's General Manager for the P B Area, G Saha, stated that two temporary tents had been set up. He reiterated that the area was declared fire-affected and unsafe years ago, but residents had refused to move. "A permanent solution is possible only if the entire zone is evacuated," he added.
Echoing the need for a long-term fix, Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha questioned BCCL's role and called for an emergency meeting involving DGMS, the Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), IIT-ISM, and other experts to devise a permanent solution.
As of now, the evacuation of residents from Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla, Officer Colony, and surrounding areas has not formally begun. However, BCCL teams are using public address systems to urge people to vacate the danger zone. A DGMS team is on-site working to stop the leakage, while health department teams have started examining and treating affected individuals.
