The expansion programme of Kedla opencast colliery has delayed for more than one year and now a new hurdle has come in its way in the form of removing market and housing area situated near Kedla Chowk area which is going to increase the problems of expansion work in the days to come. The Hazaribagh region of Central Coal Fields limited has planned the expansion programme of Kedla opencast colliery keeping in view the increasing target of coal production given to them by the company. After getting permission, the local administration initiated the process of cleaning the area which was coming expanding. In passing the hurdles in the path of cleaning the barren areas, the program got delayed and now a much difficult hurdle is in front of local colliery administration which needs attention of higher officials of the coal company and Government.
To vacate the Kedla Chowk area the local KOCP administration gave a notice to the owners of houses built in the area a few days ago. Through this notice, the colliery administration demanded land papers and family tree paper from the owners. The owners refused to give any paper to the colliery administration and have started opposing the expansion program. 190 such owners have given a joint application to local colliery administration in which they have said that they are ready to submit their Aadhar cards, account numbers. Balbhadra Das, a resident of Kedla Chowk and leader of CITU says “we are not in a position to submit the required papers as most of the owners have never thought of it and thus acquired it. We are living here since long and can submit other alternative documents to prove our claim,” he said.
KOCP first tried to solve the problem at local level but it did not help and it reached to a point where any decision is beyond their jurisdiction. Ranjay Sinha, Project Officer Kedla said that very soon he is will submit a report to the Headquarter with the application submitted by the house owners.
PNS