Bccl Asks Residents To Vacate Jharia Town

An uncertain future awaits residents of Jharia town in Bihar after Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) authorities asked residents to vacate their homes fearing the spread of an underground fire.

The BCCL also began demolishing their own buildings as a first step. But, the move has sparked resentment among residents in absence of any resettlement scheme, with the Jharia Nagarik Sangh, a voluntary organisation, taking up cudgels on their behalf, to resist any attempt at evacuation under pressure. The sangh in a recent public meeting criticised the alleged move by BCCL to demolish at least 20,000 houses, without giving residents any choice.

 

The leadership asked landlords and tenants to submit copies of their tax receipts and electricity or telephone bills to the Sangh office, which is compiling a list of persons residing in the area.

Representatives of Jharia Chamber of Commerce who were present at the meeting criticised the alleged move by BCCL to