Subsidence in Bengal’s coal belt area, 10 houses damaged
By IANSTuesday, February 1, 2011
KOLKATA - At least 10 houses in the coal belt region of West Bengal’s Burdwan district were damaged after a 300 sq km area subsided early Tuesday, officials said.
“Ten houses subsided by 10-12 feet in Sripur and Chatimdanga village of Jhamuria in Assansol. Around 80 families located in the area were partially affected,” said Eastern Coal Limited (ECL) area manager T.K. Gorai.
“Because of illegal mining, the area has become subsidence-prone. We have repeatedly urged the district police administration to take necessary measures to stop illegal mining, but nothing has been done,” Gorai said.
However, Burdwan Police Superintendent Humayan Kabir said: “We are yet to receive any such complaint from the ECL authorities.”
Burdwan District Magistrate Onkar Singh Meena said: “We have asked the ECL authorities to submit a detailed report regarding the subsidence.”
