Panic in Jharkhand’s Ramgarh After Fire Erupts in Illegal Coal Mine

A massive underground fire in an abandoned illegal coal mine in Bhuchungdih village, under the Rajrappa police station area of Jharkhand’s Ramgarh district, has triggered widespread panic among locals. The fire, which began smouldering days ago, intensified on Monday, sending thick black smoke into the sky—visible from nearly four kilometers away.

Residents of nearby villages, whose homes lie just 500 meters from the site, are gripped by fear. The fire’s proximity to the main road leading to Maa Chhinnamastika temple, a major pilgrimage spot at Rajrappa, has added to the concern, with smoke clouding the path of hundreds of daily visitors.

What Are Coal Mine Fires?

Coal mine fires, especially underground ones like this, are not new to Jharkhand. These fires occur in coal seams, abandoned pits, or coal waste piles and can burn unnoticed for years. They are highly hazardous due to:

• Emission of toxic gases like carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and sulfur dioxide
• The risk of land subsidence and cave-ins
• Difficulty in extinguishing them due to inaccessible underground channels

Authorities Struggle Amid Delayed Response

Despite early warnings from locals, neither Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) nor Rajrappa police acted in time. Jagannath Mahato, a local resident and former deputy mukhiya, said the site was reported nearly a week ago, but no preventive steps were taken. A CCL team surveyed the area two days ago, but no follow-up action was initiated.

On Monday, the fire escalated dramatically, with flames erupting from at least seven mouths of the mine. The sky turned dark, visibility plummeted, and air quality deteriorated. Villagers stood helpless as toxic smoke engulfed Bhuchungdih, raising fears of displacement and health hazards.

Emergency Response Underway

Ramgarh Deputy Commissioner Chandan Kumar, SDO Anurag Tiwari, and mining officials rushed to the scene. Makeshift pipelines were laid to draw water from the Bhairavi river, and high-powered pumps were deployed to douse the flames from their roots.

So far, firefighting efforts involve soil and sand filling, a method aimed at cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply. However, experts warn that this is only a temporary solution, and fires may reignite if oxygen finds alternate pathwaysunderground.

Why Are These Fires So Hard to Control?

Retired mining engineer A.K. Choubey, with over 30 years of experience, explained the challenge:

“The two most effective methods—nitrogen gas injection and excavation—are expensive and logistically complex. And in the case of illegal mining, lack of proper mine layout records makes it harder to pinpoint fire zones.”

Nitrogen gas can suffocate underground fires if injected precisely, but the method is costly. Excavation involves physically removing the burning coal, which requires extensive project planning and budgetary support.

Jharkhand’s Enduring Fire Crisis

Jharkhand, with its vast coal reserves, especially in Ramgarh, Dhanbad, and Hazaribagh, faces regular threats from abandoned or illegal mining fires. These fires stem from:

• Spontaneous combustion of coal exposed to air and moisture
• Unregulated mining activities
• Neglect of mine closure protocols
• Poorly monitored abandoned sites

In 2007, a similar fire in Kuju (Ranchi-Patna NH stretch) forced a highway closure for over a year. That fire was eventually extinguished using nitrogen injection and excavation, but only after massive costs and a diversion project.

Political Response & Future Concerns

BJP MP Manish Jaiswal, who visited the site, demanded a complete halt to illegal mining. He called for greater coordination between mining, forest, and police departments to prevent such disasters.

CCL’s Rajrappa General Manager Kalyanji Prasad admitted that while the mine had been previously closed, it was likely illegally reopened. “The isolated terrain makes access difficult for fire tenders and heavy machinery,” he said. Officials also confirmed the presence of lethal gases in the smoke, posing a direct health risk to nearby populations.

As the district administration races against time to contain the fire, the people of Bhuchungdih remain anxious, caught between toxic air, a smouldering earth, and an uncertain tomorrow. What burns beneath them is not just coal—it is a symbol of neglect, unregulated greed, and systemic apathy.

The questions now echo louder than the flames:
Will this crisis lead to reform? Or will it, too, be buried under ash and bureaucratic silence?