Shashank Shekhar
Dhanbad. ( Jharkhand) : Union Coal Secretary Sushil Kumar on December 9, 2017, said that unless the 18 km railway track on Dhanbad – Chandrapura rail route in Jharkhand is removed it would not be possible to douse the underground fire which was still sraging and spreading damaging millions of tons of quality coal eating into billions of rupees of Bharat Coking Coal Limited.
Sushil Kumar was talking to mediapersons after attending the 92nd foundation day programme of Indian School of Mines (ISM), Dhanbad. The statement of the Union Coal Secretary made it clear that no trains will ply on Dhanbad— Chandrapura train route. The movement of trains on this route was stopped four months back. “Let me be very clear on this issue. Unless the rail tracks on Dhanbad—Chadrapura (DC) route are removed it is not possible to douse the underground fire though different views are coming that the raging underground fire can be checked,” he said.
In the report of Central Institute of Mining and Fuel Research (CIMFR), which I have not seen, few scientists have claimed that the underground fire on Dhanbad-Chadrapura route can be doused but it does not seems feasible and everyone should keep this in mind, said the Union Coal Secretary .
Dhanbad has witnessed agitation demanding resumption of movement of trains on the DC route and besides other poltical parties leaders even Dhanbad and Giridih BJP MPs P N Singh and Ravindra Pandey respectively are in favour of resumption of rail traffic on the route but with the statement gof union Coal Secretary on December 9 makes it clear that it was unlikely.