Private school collapses in Durgapur land cave-in, locals blame ECL

A significant land subsidence occurred on Tuesday evening in Andal’s PD Kajor area, causing a private school to sink into the ground. The event created widespread panic among residents and disrupted daily life. Local authorities have since sealed off the affected area to prevent public access, ensuring safety precautions are in place. No casualties have been reported, but the incident has raised serious concerns about infrastructure safety in coal mining zones.

Residents have pointed to Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL) as the cause of the disaster. They claim that improper backfilling after coal extraction leads to land instability, making the area prone to such subsidence. The region, known for its extensive mining activity, has witnessed similar incidents in the past, further intensifying concerns among locals. However, ECL officials have not provided any comment on the incident when approached.

The local community is calling for better safety measures and more stringent regulation of mining activities. Given the repeated occurrence of such incidents, experts and residents alike are urging the authorities to address the issue to prevent further damage. Meanwhile, efforts to stabilize the ground around the collapsed site are ongoing.