Burning for over 100 years, Jharkhand’s underground fire affects 5 lakh people

SOURAV ROY, 08 JUNE, 2017.

Jharia coal field has been burning underground for over a hundred years, as residents living across 250 sqkm sit on a ticking time bomb.

Ten-year-old Rahim had accompanied his father Babloo Khan for a cup of tea. Babloo, a mechanic by profession, asked his son to proceed towards their garage as he and the tea seller were winding up a conversation. As Rahim strolled home, there was an explosion.

Locals recall how an immense chasm was created in the middle of the road, engulfing Rahim. Babloo leaped to save his son, but was almost immediately consumed by the earth sliding beneath his feet. Both the father and son were declared dead, as their bodies were never recovered from the 100-feet deep trench with flames underneath.

The incident took place on May 24, at Jharia’s Phularibag More. Jharia, situated in the Dhanbad district, is one of Jharkhand’s largest towns. Lying within one of India’s largest coal reserves, the Jharia coal field has been burning uninhibitedly for over 100 years. The town and nearby villages sit on top of an active volcano, awaiting an uncertain future.

“The ground is so hot at places, that walking even in shoes is near impossible. Almost everyone here is ill. Authorities ask the villagers to leave their homes and go. But most people fear loss of livelihood, and hence continue to stay,” Mohammad Nasim Ansari, a resident of Bhulan Bararee, a nearby village, tells us.

https://yourstory.com/2017/06/jharia-coal-fire/

Jharkhand underground fire: Railways firms up plans for alternative train movement

According to railway officials, at least seven trains will be diverted to two different routes, while six trains would remain cancelled. Another 13 pairs of trains too would be cancelled

http://indianexpress.com/article/india/jharkhand-underground-fire-r...

PMO To Resolve Impasse Over 100-Year Old Underground Inferno In Jharkhand

The Coal Ministry is steadfast in its denial to be held responsible for the inordinate delay in initiating action to douse the underground fire while the Ministry of Railways has warned of major possible losses to Government coffers if corrective measures are not initiated forthwith.

http://businessworld.in/article/PMO-To-Resolve-Impasse-Over-100-Yea...