Former RAF worker’s Jamshedpur home plagued by fly ash for 13 years

Jamshedpur: The house and garden of former Rapid Action Force (RAF) worker Pushpalata Soy in Sundernagar have become a virtual dumping ground for fly ash runoff from the 106 Battalion parade ground, creating a nightmarish situation for the retired officer. Despite raising the issue with local RAF authorities for over a decade, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve it.

Pushpalata Soy, who served as an Assistant Sub-Inspector (GD) in the RAF from 2008 to 2020, has been struggling with the problem since 2012. Her residence lies adjacent to the 106 Battalion parade ground, where fly ash soil was used to level and expand the parade area. What was once natural earth was replaced with layers of industrial fly ash—an action that has had devastating consequences for the former officer.

 “During every monsoon, fly ash from the raised ground washes into my home and garden, turning everything into slush,” Pushpalata said. “Even my well, which was our only source of drinking water, got filled with ash.” She says she initially did not realize the long-term impact, but with each passing year, the problem has only grown worse.

In 2017, she started a small nursery in her garden to support herself post-retirement. However, the annual onslaught of fly ash ruined the soil, suffocating the plants and leading to major financial losses. “It broke my heart to watch my plants die. I tried everything—diverting the flow, raising the boundary—but nothing worked. The fly ash simply keeps coming.”

Pushpalata has repeatedly informed RAF authorities about the damage. While some officers visited her residence, took videos and photos, no permanent or preventive measures have been implemented. “They acknowledged the issue, even documented it, but nothing changed,” she lamented.

Her ordeal was further compounded on March 15, 2025, when a tree branch from within the battalion campus fell on her nursery’s shade structure. The branch is still lying there, causing obstruction and further damage to her plants.

Having served two tenures in the RAF (2008–2013 and 2016–2020), Pushpalata had hoped for a peaceful post-retirement life. Currently working as a security guard at Ghaghidih Central Jail since 2024, she now spends a large part of her income on cleaning and maintenance work due to the fly ash mess. “I have to hire labourers regularly to remove the ash from my home and garden. It’s not just expensive—it’s exhausting.”

Pushpalata Soy has made an earnest appeal to senior RAF officials to address her issue with urgency. “This is not just about property damage; it’s about dignity. I gave years of my life to the force. All I ask for is a clean and safe living environment,” she said.