Panic spread through the Kenduadih area on Thursday after a suspected toxic gas leak led to the deaths of two women and left several others hospitalised. Authorities are scrambling to identify the source of the leak while residents protest, demanding immediate evacuation.

The victims, Priyanka Devi, who died Wednesday evening, and Lalita Devi, who passed away early Thursday, reportedly succumbed to gas exposure, according to locals. Officials, however, stressed that the post-mortem reports would confirm the exact cause.

Dhanbad Residents Block Road in Protest

Angry residents took to the Dhanbad-Ranchi highway, blocking traffic and setting tyres ablaze in protest against perceived administrative inaction. The standoff lasted nearly four hours before officials managed to bring the situation under control.

Witnesses described disturbing scenes in the affected neighborhoods. Pradeep Kumar Thakur said the woman who died Thursday “started foaming at the mouth. Upon being taken to the hospital, doctors determined that the death was likely due to the gas exposure and suffocation.” He added that about 15–20 people had been affected so far. Another local, Shaikh Mohammad, criticised the authorities for failing to offer safe housing, saying, “The gas has spread throughout the area, and people are continuously falling ill.”

The area falls under the jurisdiction of Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), which has been overseeing evacuations. Hundreds of residents from Kenduadih Basti and nearby localities such as Rajput Basti, Masjid Mohalla, and Officer Colony are being shifted to safer locations. BCCL PB Area General Manager, G Saha, warned, “The area is fire-prone and has been declared unsafe for years, yet people have not moved. A permanent solution to the problem is possible only if the entire area is evacuated.” He also mentioned temporary tents have been arranged to minimise exposure.

Former mayor Chandrashekhar Agarwal criticised BCCL’s handling of the situation, noting that the company declared multiple areas unsafe without providing alternative housing. He urged authorities to convene experts to address the problem immediately.

Police Take Action

Law enforcement is actively involved in the response. Kenduadih police in-charge Pramod Pandey confirmed the deaths and said measures are underway to prevent further casualties. Putki Circle Officer Anand Kumar added that steps are being taken to stop the leak, but the precise cause of the deaths would only be clear after post-mortem reports.

Authorities are using loudspeakers and door-to-door appeals to inform residents about evacuation and safety measures. Pandey said, “…We took the BCCL gas detector team to each house and checked all the nearby areas… We made announcements everywhere to create awareness… The medical team is engaged. The district administration is involved…. Arrangements at the police station are in place to provide all medical facilities, including ambulances and other services.”

The Dhanbad incident echoes a similar tragedy in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in November, where a gas leak in a rented house killed two members of a family and hospitalised others. The cause was traced to pesticide tablets stored with wheat, and the landlord was arrested.

Residents in Kenduadih are demanding urgent relocation and permanent solutions to the recurring safety hazards posed by coal mining and gas leaks in the region.