The very existence of Kendua Baazar and the road crossing from this baazar has come under threat from the underground fire that started in the Basudevpur coal mines of the BCCL about five days ago.
Experts suggest that if immediate action are not taken the road that happens to be part of the National highway 32 and connects Dhanbad with Bokaro, Ranchi Chass, Purulia and Jamshespur would be affected and may face subsidence due to the fire that has reached to some lower seams of coal in this underground mines.
Regional director of directorate General of mines safety BL Meena inspected the fire location and has asked BCCL authorities to initiate steps to douse fire. Though BCCL authorities want to cut trench as one of the immediate steps for fighting fire, the thick population in the locity comes as a hindrance in the way.
Project officer (PO)Satyendra Kumar informed media persons that about 150 families residing in Gwalapatti locality needs to be removed from the area for cutting 150meter long and 100 meter wide trench to douse fire that is located in-between 25 to30 meters below from the surface.
He said we also are taking steps to cap the fire but that may not be a permanent solution.
Kumar said,the area has been identified as fire prone area and earlier too some incidents of subsidence and gas emission have taken place.People were given warning and were asked to vacate land but no one took interest in it.
Adding further the PO said ,steps are being initiated on directive of area GM and team of experts for both short and long term measures to fight fire.
A local resident SK Giri said, people want to be relocated at a safe location nearby and not at a location that threatens the livelihood of families.