The Jharia coalfield in Jharkhand, one of India’s largest and most resource-rich coal reserves, continues to burn relentlessly even after more than a century since underground fires first broke out. Despite numerous government interventions and promises, the fires show no signs of dying down, leaving thousands of families trapped in hazardous living conditions.

Thick smoke, toxic gases, and land subsidence have made large parts of Jharia nearly uninhabitable. Residents live under constant fear of their homes collapsing due to underground fires, while health issues like respiratory illness, skin diseases, and chronic lung infections are widespread. For many families, moving out is the only hope—but rehabilitation projects have moved at a painfully sluggish pace.

Over the years, the government and Coal India Limited have announced multiple relocation schemes. However, progress has been hampered by poor planning, bureaucratic delays, and inadequate housing facilities. As a result, thousands of people continue to live in unsafe settlements, right above the burning coal seams.

Experts warn that unless urgent steps are taken to speed up rehabilitation, provide safe housing, and implement fire control measures, the crisis will only worsen. The Jharia coalfield, which fuels India’s energy needs, remains a grim reminder of the costs of unchecked mining and delayed rehabilitation.

For the residents of Jharia, survival is a daily struggle—caught between a burning earth below and unfulfilled promises above.