Cabinet cleared revised Jharia master plan, focusing on firefighting and rehabilitation
The Cabinet Economic Affairs Committee, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the revised Jharia Master Plan (JMP) to address the long-term challenges of coal seam fires, land settlement and rehabilitation in Jharia Coalfield, Jharkhand. The financial allocation of the scheme is Rs 59,4047 crore and will be implemented in the phase, starting from the most vulnerable areas where human life is at immediate risk.
According to government sources, Coal India Ltd. (CIL) will donate Rs 5 billion a year to support the implementation of the plan. The initial stage will prioritize the evacuation and rehabilitation of families living in high-risk areas, while subsequent efforts will focus on areas with lower levels of threat. Both Indian Coal and its subsidiary BCCL will be responsible for curbing the current fires and preventing future outbreaks.
An important policy shift to revising the plan is once the existing list of building houses runs out of cash compensation options. In addition, affected sites will be divided into mining and non-mining areas to simplify planning and execution.
Rehabilitation strategies go beyond relocation. Each resettled family, whether or not holding a legal land title, will receive a living award of Rs 10,000 and a credit of up to Rs 3 lakh. A dedicated Jharia alternative livelihood rehabilitation fund will be established and skills training will be conducted in collaboration with multi-skill development agencies operating in the region.
Resettlement colonies will be equipped with basic infrastructure including paved roads, electricity, water supply, sewage systems, schools, hospitals and community spaces. These facilities will be consistent with the recommendations of the Implementation Committee established for the revised JMP.
Significant progress has been made – Critical fire sites have dropped from 77 to 27, of 33,965 proposed homes, 30,473 construction has been completed so far.
It is worth noting that Zee Business has extensively reported on the status of Jharia Rehabilitation and Fire Conformation efforts in January 2024, calling for a stronger and more sensitive plan of action.
The revised plan reflects a shift to a more structured and humane approach to address one of the country’s longest industrial and environmental challenges.
