Dhanbad: A fresh incident of land subsidence in the Kenduadih Naya Dhauda area of Dhanbad has raised serious concerns over the safety of the busy Dhanbad–Bokaro road. The subsidence has partially affected the land adjacent to four shops, leading to visible cracks in the structures and triggering panic among shopkeepers.According to officials, the ground near the shops caved in slightly, weakening the foundation of the buildings. Fearing further collapse, the authorities have taken immediate precautionary measures. Upon receiving information, BCCL PB Area general manager G C Saha visited the site, assessed the situation, and interacted with the shopkeepers.Subsequently, the four shops were identified as unsafe and cordoned off with red tape. Shopkeepers were instructed to vacate the premises immediately to prevent any untoward incident. “There has been movement in the abandoned 14-number seam of the Kenduadih colliery, which has likely triggered the subsidence,” Saha said.The area had already been declared unsafe due to continuous leakage of carbon monoxide gas. Officials said that despite ongoing nitrogen flushing to neutralise the gas, the impact has not been significant. Residents have been urged to shift to safer locations to ensure their safety.In Dec last year, three women lost their lives due to toxic gas leakage in the same region. The Kenduadih Rajput Basti remains the worst affected.The district administration, along with BCCL management, is making efforts to relocate residents to safer places. However, fear continues to grip locals as the threat of further subsidence and gas leakage looms large over the area.
