Cabinet approves ₹5,940 crore revised Jharia Master Plan to tackle coalfield fires, land subsidence and family rehabilitation
New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by
Prime Minister Narendra Modi
, has approved the Revised
Jharia Master Plan
(JMP) with a total financial outlay of ₹5,940.47 crore to address the long-standing issues of coal seam fires,
land subsidence
, and rehabilitation of affected families in the Jharia coalfields.
The revised plan adopts a phase-wise implementation strategy, prioritising fire control, land stability, and relocation of families residing in the most vulnerable zones of the coal mining area.
The government has also emphasised sustainable livelihood support as a core component of the rehabilitation process. Each resettled family—whether Legal Title Holder (LTH) or Non-Legal Title Holder (Non-LTH)—will be given a livelihood grant of ₹1 lakh. In addition, institutional credit support of up to ₹3 lakh will be made available through a formal credit pipeline to facilitate income generation.
Comprehensive infrastructure development at the new resettlement sites will include roads, electricity, water supply, sewerage, schools, hospitals, skill development centres, and community halls. These provisions will be implemented in line with recommendations from the Committee for Implementation of the Revised Jharia Master Plan.
To promote self-reliance among relocated communities, a dedicated Jharia Alternative Livelihoods Rehabilitation Fund will be created. Skill development programmes in collaboration with Multi Skill Development Institutes will also be rolled out across the region.
The approval marks a renewed effort to address the challenges in the Jharia coal belt and ensure long-term resettlement and economic support for families impacted by decades of underground fires and land instability.
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