Land subsidence caused by 'illegal coal mining' damages houses, dries up pond in Jhakhand's Dhanbad

Dhanbad (Jharkhand), Jul 7 (PTI) Land subsidence allegedly because of illegal coal mining damaged nearly 20 houses and caused the water of a pond to go underground near a BCCL project in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district on Tuesday, local authorities said. The houses at Chhatabad under Katras police station area developed large cracks, prompting the local people to block a key road for nearly 12 hours, demanding compensation and stopping of illegal coal mining. Police said that there were no casualties at the site where land subsidence took place. "There was a deafening noise in the morning, and the people rushed out of their houses. Deep cracks appeared on the walls and floors. It is very risky to live in these houses now, as they can crumble at any moment leading to casualties," local ward councillor Mohammed Shahabuddin said. The water of the pond located near the Akashkinari Colliery project of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) also went underground, he said. Shahabuddin said that the affected area is barely 2 kms from Tandabari Basti which witnessed serious injuries to four people after land subsidence led to collapse of a few houses in the last week of April. The memories of the serious injuries are still fresh in people's memories, he said. Locals blocked the Katras-Sinidih-Dhanbad Main Road demanding immediate stopping of illegal coal mining, suitable compensation and proper rehabilitation, the local ward representative said. The blockade which began at around 9 am was lifted at around 8.40 pm. Baghmara Circle Officer Girijanand Kisku told PTI that after several rounds of discussion mediated by the local administration with the BCCL authorities and the local residents, the coal company agreed to pay Rs 50,000 to each of the families as a shifting allowance for relocating to the rehabilitation area at Belgharia and an assurance of further payment of Rs 2 lakh to each of the families. This apart, a community hall was arranged for temporary shelter of those persons whose houses have been damaged by subsidence, with BCCL agreeing to provide food for the locals. The BCCL was also asked to repair the caved-in portion of the land near the pond. Katras police station officer in charge Praveen Kumar said, "The people are agitated due to frequent incidents of land subsidence leading to loss of properties and threats to life." Acting on information from the Katras police, a rescue team from the Govindpur area reached the spot. Baghmara Sub Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Ajit Kumar Vimal stated that land subsidence near the pond caused all its water to drain underground. Around four other houses were damaged as a result of the incident, while cracks have appeared in several other homes. He further added that the administration is keeping a close watch on the affected area as a precautionary measure. PTI ANB NN