MLAs Saryu Rai and Vijay Jha visiting Rajput settlement of Kenduadih.
Jagran correspondent, Dhanbad. Saryu Roy: The situation in Kenduadih area of Dhanbad remains very serious due to poisonous gas leakage. People in the affected areas are afraid to stay in their homes. Due to panic, many families have sent their children to safe places. The level of poisonous gas in the area is being recorded around 500 ppm, while levels above 50 ppm are considered extremely dangerous.
After visiting the gas-affected Rajput Basti and Masjid Patti areas of Kenduadih under Jharia fire area of Dhanbad on Monday, JDU MLA Saryu Rai said that the direct responsibility of this incident lies with BCCL, but the bigger culprit is the Directorate General of Mine Safety (DGMS). BCCL does mining in this area.
He said that as per the rules, sand filling after coal mining was mandatory, but the mining companies did not follow it. DGMS has to send inspection report twice a year, but it is not discharging its responsibilities properly.
Saryu Rai said that the gas leak has led to displacement, but the people responsible for it are not being identified and action is being taken against them. He raised the question that even when the Chief Secretary or other senior officials visit, why action is not taken against the responsible officials.
Describing the Belgarhiya rehabilitation site as a 'pigeon house', he said that there is a severe lack of basic facilities there. The employment of the affected people is related to this sector. Simply removing people is not the solution. They need both safe shelter and employment to survive.
The MLA said that first of all concrete measures should be taken to stop the poisonous gas. Safety of people's lives is paramount and for this the administration will have to take immediate effective steps.