Dhanbad: The district administration will undertake a scientific excavation in Kenduadih to assess the extent of land subsidence and gas leakage before taking a final call on reopening the crucial Dhanbad–Ranchi main road, which has remained closed for the past six to seven months.The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by deputy commissioner and district disaster management authority’s chairman Aditya Ranjan and senior superintendent of police Prabhat Kumar on Tuesday. The meeting was attended by elected representatives, officials of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), experts from DGMS, IIT (ISM), CIMFR, and other technical institutions.During the discussion, all unanimously supported scientific excavation to determine the actual condition beneath the damaged stretch. BCCL has been directed to submit a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the excavation by July 10.“Residents of the affected area would be shifted to relief camps before the excavation begins. The entire site will be cordoned off, and rescue teams, DGMS, IIT (ISM), CIMFR experts, and other safety agencies will remain deployed throughout the operation. A decision on reopening the road will be taken only after technical reports confirm that it is safe,” the DC said.Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahato stressed that the prolonged closure of the road has severely affected thousands of commuters and urged BCCL to take concrete steps for its restoration. Nirsa MLA Arup Chatterjee, Jharia MLA Ragini Singh, Sindri MLA Chandradev Mahato and Zila Parishad chairperson Sharda Singh also supported scientific investigation followed by restoration of the strategically important road.
