Dhanbad: Panic gripped residents of Kamini Kalyan locality near old RSP College on the Jharia-Dhanbad main road on Saturday evening after the ground suddenly caved in, causing significant damage to four houses and causing cracks in the walls and courtyards of 14 others.Residents rushed out of their homes, while several families moved their belongings to safer places, fearing further subsidence. The affected families later blocked the road, demanding immediate rehabilitation, compensation and safety measures. The blockade was withdrawn after officials and public representatives assured residents that four affected families would be shifted immediately.Residents and affected raiyats alleged that heavy blasting, trench cutting at the Rajapur project and dumping nearby had triggered the subsidence. “Heavy blasting by the coal outsourcing company for mining is the main reason for the cracks,” affected resident Ramesh Rawani said. He demanded compensation for damages and permanent relocation of families who had lived in the area for decades.Jharia police reached the spot and assessed the situation. Dhanbad mayor Sanjeev Singh inspected the damaged houses and spoke to Bastacolla general manager SK Gaikwad and other BCCL officials, seeking immediate relief.Gaikwad later visited the site and urged residents to remain calm and preserve important documents. He said people living in fire-affected and subsidence-prone areas would receive benefits under applicable rehabilitation provisions.He assured that families whose houses were damaged would be shifted to vacant BCCL quarters nearby.Residents said the houses of Nanu Rawani, Baby Devi, Bhola Rawani, Subhash Rawani and Gopal Rawani were among the worst affected. Homes of Ramesh Rawani, Ajit Rawani, Ashish Rawani, Rakesh Rawani, Vijay Singh, Govind Singh, Raju Rawani, Rana Rawani and Balram Rawani were also damaged.Residents sought a detailed safety assessment by BCCL and the district administration to prevent further subsidence.
