In a critical response to an escalating environmental hazard, Dhanbad's Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan convened a high-level emergency meeting on Sunday. The session brought together top officials from Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), including its Chairman-cum-Managing Director, and technical experts to address the alarming toxic gas leak from abandoned mines in the Kenduadih area.
Immediate Risks and Expert Assessment
The meeting, focused on identifying the leak's causes and bolstering preventive measures, revealed a grave situation. DC Ranjan expressed serious concern over the continuous emission of hazardous gases from both flanks of the Kenduadih residential settlements and the adjacent national highway. BCCL's technical team confirmed that the leakage is active on multiple fronts, creating a significant threat to the safety of local residents and daily commuters using the highway.
Experts at the meeting issued urgent recommendations. They advised that all vehicles passing through the affected stretch must reduce speed to minimise risk. More critically, they emphasised the immediate need to evacuate nearby settlements to prevent potential casualties from exposure to the toxic fumes.
Administration's Swift Action Plan
Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan directed the district's disaster management officer to act without delay. Instructions were given to immediately write to the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), providing a detailed situational report and formally requesting the deployment of an expert team for a comprehensive on-ground assessment.
To address the infrastructural danger, the DC also ordered concerned officials to send a formal request to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). This request seeks a technical inspection of the affected road section to evaluate structural integrity and rule out any further risks to public safety.
Relocation and Resident Safety Prioritised
A core focus of the administration's plan is the safe relocation of affected families. DC Ranjan ordered the setup of camps in the impacted localities to conduct a rapid survey. This survey aims to determine the exact number of families requiring immediate relocation from the danger zone.
The district administration has prepared alternative housing arrangements. Residents will be shifted to either Belgaria township or Karmatand township based on their preference. In a confidence-building measure, several families were taken to Belgaria Township on Saturday to familiarise them with the available facilities, encouraging them to relocate without delay.
Assuring the public, DC Ranjan stated that the administration is closely monitoring the volatile situation. He reiterated that the safety and well-being of residents remains the topmost priority for the district authorities as they work to contain this industrial and environmental crisis.
