Soren wants township vacated to douse underground mine fire

DHANBAD: Union Coal Minister Shibu Soren has said that underground mine fire at Jharia township had taken an "alarming shape", which cannot be checked without vacating the area.

"For the sake of national property (continuous burning of precious coal) and the lives of the people, Jharia township would have to be vacated at any cost," Soren said on Sunday.

The Coal Minister said the residents of Jharia township must realise that the fire cannot be checked without evacuating the area and should be mentally prepared to leave.

Soren said a project was prepared to rehabilitate the displaced persons at a new township. The affected persons would also be given proper compensation, he said.