Senior official inspects rehabilitation, skills and community facilities in Dhanbad
Dhanbad: Advisor to the Prime Minister Tarun Kapoor visited Belgaria and Karmatand townships in Dhanbad on Tuesday to review works being implemented under the Jharia Master Plan (JMP), an official press note said. The visit focused on the safe rehabilitation of families affected by mine fires, enhancement of basic amenities, and initiatives for skill development, education and livelihood generation.
At Karmatand, Mr Kapoor inspected the local Middle/High School and interacted with students. He also visited Bharat Coking Coal Limited’s Multi Skill Development Institute (MSDI-IV), where training in trades such as beautician, customer care executive and assistant fitter is being provided. According to the note, about 800 youth have completed training under the programme to date and over 250 are currently enrolled.
- Training progress: 800 trained so far; 250+ undergoing courses at MSDI-IV.
- Community inspections: Housing and facilities at Belgaria and Karmatand reviewed.
- Inaugurations: Upgraded primary school, a health sub-centre and a Model Anganwadi Centre-cum-Pre-Nursery School at Jharia Vihar Colony.
In Belgaria, the Advisor met rehabilitated residents, reviewed housing units and community amenities, and visited stalls run by Self-Help Groups under the JharShilp initiative and Project Aarohi. The visit included review of a Skill Development and Production Centre being developed jointly by BCCL, the Jharia Rehabilitation and Development Authority (JRDA), the Jharkhand government and a private partner; textile-related training and production activities are planned to commence at the centre.
"He directed officials to accelerate rehabilitation, improve education, healthcare, livelihood opportunities and basic infrastructure, and ensure better coordination among all agencies," the official press note said.
The programme of work for the day concluded with a high-level meeting at the Dhanbad Collectorate. Senior officials who accompanied Mr Kapoor included Coal India Chairman B. Sairam, BCCL Chairman and Managing Director Manoj Kumar Agarwal, and Joint Secretary (Textiles) Alaknanda Dayal, together with district administration officers, the note stated.
What the visit covered
The official account lists the following specific actions and facilities reviewed or inaugurated during the visit:
| Location | Action | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Karmatand | School inspection; MSDI-IV visit | 800 trained; 250+ currently in trade courses |
| Belgaria | Housing and facility review; SHG stalls | JharShilp and Project Aarohi stalls inspected |
| Jharia Vihar Colony | Inaugurations | Upgraded Primary School, Health Sub-Centre, Model Anganwadi Centre-cum-Pre-Nursery School |
| Various | Skill Development & Production Centre review | Joint development by BCCL, JRDA, state and private partner; textiles planned |
Officials present used the meeting to discuss acceleration of ongoing rehabilitation measures under the JMP and to press for improved inter-agency coordination. The Jharia Master Plan, which addresses long-standing subsidence and mine-fire-related displacement in parts of Dhanbad, includes components such as housing relocation, infrastructure development, health and education upgrades, and economic support through skilling and micro-enterprise promotion.
By visiting both operational training centres and rehabilitated colonies, the Advisor’s itinerary combined review of immediate welfare services with measures aimed at longer-term income generation. The MSDI-IV training figures cited in the note indicate an ongoing push to link rehabilitation with employability, while the planned production centre aims to provide an organised platform for textile-related livelihoods.
The press note carried the details of the visit and the directions issued; it did not provide a timeline for completion of the outstanding works or specific budgetary figures for the projects reviewed. District administration officers and the listed central and public-sector officials were present at the Dhanbad Collectorate meeting to discuss next steps and coordination mechanisms.
Further announcements or timelines for the projects under JMP would be expected from the implementing agencies—JRDA, BCCL and the state government—following the review, the note said.
