Chief Secretary reviews gas leak zone, rehab site in Dhanbad; stresses local participation

Jharkhand Chief Secretary Avinash Kumar on Saturday visited the gas-affected Kenduadih area and conducted an extensive review of the relief and rehabilitation work. He was accompanied by Home Secretary Vandana Dadel, DGP (I/C) Tadasha Mishra, BCCL CMD Manoj Kumar Agrawal, Deputy Commissioner Aditya Ranjan, SSP and several senior officials. The team inspected the neighbourhoods impacted by the underground gas leak and interacted with residents to understand their concerns.

The Chief Secretary said controlling such incidents is a major challenge because the leakage is driven by natural causes. He added that experts are studying every development, but villagers who have lived here for decades understand the terrain better than anyone else. He stressed that no solution is possible without their participation. Addressing the crowd through a microphone, he assured families that their safety is the government’s foremost priority and that all steps will be taken in coordination with the Centre, BCCL, public representatives and local communities.

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Earlier in the day, the high-level team reviewed arrangements at the PB Area Medical Camp set up by BCCL near Hindi Bhawan. Officials interacted with affected families, examined the facilities and discussed the support made available so far. Dhanbad MLA Raj Sinha, who joined the inspection, said he has raised the matter in the Assembly and submitted a written request to the Chief Minister. He added that while the issue falls under the Centre’s jurisdiction, the state also needs to act decisively for public safety.

The delegation later visited Belgharia Township, where the rehabilitation of affected families is being planned. The Chief Secretary inspected the new buildings, checked available amenities and spoke to officials and residents. He said the state is assessing all possibilities, including relocating families to safer places if required, and that both state and central governments are treating the incident with full seriousness.

Officials said BCCL is working closely with the state government and district administration to manage the crisis and prepare for the rehabilitation of the affected population. The visit marked the first major on-site review by top state officials, underlining the government’s intention to move forward with coordinated action and community engagement.