Parliament Question: Rehabilitation in Jharia Coalfield (JCF)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1008 ANSWERED ON- 09.02.2026 REHABILITATION IN JHARIA COALFIELD (JCF) 1008# SHRI DEEPAK PRAKASH: Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state: (a) the present status of rehabilitation in the Jharia Coalfield (JCF) in the State of Jharkhand; (b) the number of deaths caused by toxic gases at present and the condition of people affected by it; (c) the manner in which the GPS system is effective in preventing illegal activities in the transportation system of Coal India; and (d) the criteria for monitoring the 'kanta ghar' (weigh-house) machines at the coal mines, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF COAL & MINES (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY) (a): The Revised Jharia Master Plan (JMP) has been approved by the Central Government on 25.06.2025. Under the Revised JMP, 81 high-risk sites have been identified to be dealt with in the initial phase, and total 15,080 families under these sites have been identified to be shifted of which 1393 families have been shifted till date. A break-up of BCCL and non- BCCL families is as under: BCCL Families Non-BCCL Families Total Identified for Shifting 649 14,431 15,080 Shifted 649 744 1,393 (b): On the morning of 3rd December, 2025, gas emission was reported from the Rajput Basti, located within the notified fire and subsidence zone of Kenduadih Colliery area, Dhanbad, Jharkhand. Two deaths were reported from the affected area and nearby localities. Subsequently, one more death was reported on 30th December, 2025, from the vicinity of the gas-emission site. However, the cause of death in all three cases could not be conclusively ascertained as to whether the deaths occurred due to carbon monoxide (CO) gas or due to some other reason. Further, a few people from nearby localities of the gas-affected region reported to the hospital, with minor health complications and were provided with necessary medical treatment and discharged. Regular health check-up camps are being organised by Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) in the affected area to continuously monitor the health condition of the local population. (c): The GPS-based Vehicle Tracking System (VTS) helps in preventing illegal activities in the transportation system through Real-Time Vehicle Tracking, Route Compliance through the Geo-fencing mechanism, Automatic alerts on violations, and Monitoring through Centralized VTS Dashboard. (d): CCTV cameras are installed in the weighbridges at coal mines for real-time monitoring, covering vehicle approach, weighment platform, operator cabin and weighbridge exit point. *****