Dhanbad Land Subsidence: Displaced Families Struggle for Basic Amenities Amidst Rehabilitation Delays

Dhanbad: Families living in Tandabadi village, where land subsidence on the evening of March 31 killed three people, continued to struggle for basic amenities and rehabilitation even as Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) claimed to have allotted quarters to the displaced residents.

Locals of the village, which comes under Sonardih police outpost in Katras, continue to spend nights in school and temple premises. Temporary relief camps remained overcrowded, and many affected families claimed they were not getting food and essential supplies.

The delay in rehabilitation has triggered resentment among locals against both the district administration and BCCL management. Bahiyardih panchayat Mukhiya Nirja Devi blamed illegal coal mining activities for the recurring subsidence incidents.

Manoj Agrawal, the chairman-cum-managing director of BCCL, said several families have been shifted to safer locations and the rehabilitation process has been expedited. “Remaining families would be relocated soon. Many residents are now willing to move voluntarily, which would accelerate the process,” he said.

BCCL sources said 11 out of the 27 families living in the subsidence-prone zone have been allotted BCCL quarters at Kulmurna, and people have started moving. Meanwhile, reports of toxic gas leakage from the subsidence site — where the house of Monu Oraon collapsed — have heightened fear among residents.