Jharia Master Plan brings down surface fires sites from 77 to 27

The Ministry of Coal has managed to reduce the number of fire sites in the Jharia Coalfield from 77 to 27 after the implementation of the Jharia Master Plan in 2009, resulting in a significant reduction of the affected surface area from 17.32 square kilometres to just 1.80 square kilometres.

"The total count of fire sites decreased from 77 to 67 by 2009 and further dropped to 27 by 2021. In efforts to combat these fires, Bharat Coking Coal Limited implemented 27 projects utilising various techniques like surface sealing, trenching, and inert gas infusion," the Ministry of Coal said in