BuzzFeed News Senior Photo Editor

The country is expanding its energy sector but working conditions in the north remain dismal.

India's Coal Mines Look Like A Literal Hell

<br />[INSERT 16]<h1><br /></h1><p><br /></p>[INSERT 13]<h2>Want more? Our other photo essays on climate change:</h2><h2><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/katebubacz/this-is-what-the-world-looks-like-without-water">This Is What The World Looks Like Without Water</a></h2><h2><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/katebubacz/16-photos-showing-how-future-generations-will-remember?utm_term=.ypzOqWmme4#.prWxN4YYzE">16 Photos Showing How Future Generations Will Remember Animals</a></h2><h2><a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/katebubacz/9-photos-showing-ways-to-prepare-for-the-future?utm_term=.yrKVqyvvPl#.yq8LlEKKdR">9 Photos Showing Ways To Prepare For The Future</a></h2>

<p>People scavenging for coal from Jharia's villages head toward the several open-cast coal mines nearby, such as this one in Ghunudi, every day at dawn. With few other jobs available for those without education or resources, coal mining has become the sole means of subsistence and a way of life for many living here.</p>

<p>Miners break down and collect fresh coking coal for personal sale inside a Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) state-run mine at dawn.</p>

<p>One of the miners pauses while breaking down and collecting fresh coking coal for personal sale inside a BCCL mine.</p>

<p>A man covers his face to avoid breathing in the noxious dust kicked up from one of Jharia's sprawling mines.</p>

<p>New three-story buildings are set for construction on the outskirts of Belgharia. The on-going state-run resettlement initiative is the largest of its kind, aiming to relocate 300,000 people from their original homes near Jharia, 12km away. Yet the operation's management and execution has been dismal. Buildings constructed only three years ago stand caked in coal dust and lacking in sewage managements and electricity infrastructure. Delayed construction, undersized rooms and insufficient compensation have also left many residents resentful, jobless and fearful of their futures. Many still make the journey back to Jharia everyday to attempt working in the coal mines, either officially —if possible—, or more likely, as illegal scavengers.</p>

<p>Miners break down and collect fresh coking coal for personal sale inside a Bharat Coking Coal Limited  (BCCL) state-run mine at dawn. </p>

<p>Flames and noxious gases rise up from fissures in the Earth by Laltanganj village.</p>

<p>Left: New three-story buildings are set for construction on the outskirts of Belgharia. Right: Miners collect fresh coking coal for personal sale inside a BCCL state-run mine.</p>

<p>Dr. S K Bhagania holds up an X-ray for a coal-mining patient that reveals a mass in their lungs. Many locals working in the coal industry and living near the open fires suffer from severe respiratory ailments including tuberculosis, pneumoconiosis, and asthma.</p>

<p>Maskan, 12, sits in the Dhanbad city hospital. In 2015, she fell into crevice where an open fire burned. Her right leg and left arm were so severely injured they had to be amputated. The incident occurred on land belonging to and supervised by BCCL, meaning that workers as well as residents fall under the company's scope of responsibility and liability. Yet, despite several claims made by Maskan's parents and village authorities, BCCL has refused to acknowledge the incident, let alone organize medical aid or compensation.</p>

<p>Left: Residents of Belgharia township walk down the street during a prayer service. Right: An overview of Belgharia township, which was built three years ago to help relocate people from their original homes, but the buildings lack in sewage management and electricity infrastructure.</p>

<p>Editor’s note: In an interview with <i>Time</i> on May 4, 2017, photographer Souvid Datta admitted to materially altering his images from 2013–2015 and presenting them as representations of actual events. In light of this we have decided to remove his work from our site per BuzzFeed News’ standards and ethics.</p>

<p>In an interview with <a href="http://time.com/4766312/souvid-datta/" target="_blank">Time</a> on May 4, 2017, photographer Souvid Datta admitted to materially altering his images from 2013–2015 and presenting them as representations of actual events. In light of this we have decided to remove his work from our site per BuzzFeed News’ <a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/shani/the-buzzfeed-editorial-standards-and-ethics-guide?utm_term=.qrneOBGXw#.ja9ajq7Z9">standards and ethics</a>.</p>

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India's Coal Mines Look Like A Literal Hell

Editor’s note:

Want more? Our other photo essays on climate change:

This Is What The World Looks Like Without Water

16 Photos Showing How Future Generations Will Remember Animals

9 Photos Showing Ways To Prepare For The Future

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