January 29, 2026 | Ranchi, Jharkhand: A new report documents the lived experiences, perceptions, and demands of communities in Chandrapura in the context of just energy transition in Jharkhand. The report argues that a just transition must prioritise free, prior, and informed consent, community-based and decentralised decision-making, restoration of environmental damage, and redressal of past harms.
The report titled “Listening to Chandrapura: Building a Just Energy Transition Together in Jharkhand,” was jointly published by the Centre for Financial Accountability (CFA) and the Bindrai Institute for Research Study and Action (BIRSA). The report was released on January 29 in a function jointly organised by CFA, BIRSA and Rural Reconstruction and Development Society (RRDS) in Ranchi, Jharkhand.
Through fieldwork conducted between October 2023 and December 2024, the study documents the lived experiences, perceptions, and demands of communities in Chandrapura. It finds that industrial development has largely failed to deliver promised benefits. Land acquisition for coal mining and power plants led to displacement without adequate compensation, land documentation, or secure employment. Traditional livelihoods tied to agriculture and forests have been eroded, while pollution—particularly from fly ash and dust—has harmed health, land, and water. Despite living near major power infrastructure, many communities lack reliable access to basic services such as water, healthcare, and quality education.
Author of the report Anitha Sampath said, “The main aim of this study is to center the voices of communities that have historically paid the price for India’s deep dependence on coal. For decades, major energy projects in regions like Jharkhand were often imposed without meaningful community consultation, leading to displacement, loss of traditional livelihoods, social discontent, and environmental pollution.
The report examines the challenges and possibilities of a Just Energy Transition (JET) in India, with a focused case study of coal-dependent communities around the Chandrapura Thermal Power Plant in Bokaro district, Jharkhand. As the global climate crisis intensifies, JET has gained prominence as a framework to shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy while ensuring social equity. India presents a complex case because coal remains central to its energy security, economy, and employment. Despite ambitious climate commitments—including a net-zero target by 2070 and 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030—coal still accounts for over 74% of power generation and supports millions of livelihoods, particularly in states like Jharkhand.
The report highlights the tension between India’s international climate promises and domestic policies that continue to expand coal capacity in the name of energy security. While renewable energy capacity has grown rapidly, coal production and consumption remain high, and there is no clear timeline or framework for phasing out coal plants or supporting affected workers and communities. This absence of planning risks deep social and economic disruption, especially in regions where entire local economies depend on coal.
Employment emerges as the central concern shaping community perceptions of JET. Promises of jobs in exchange for land were often broken, and locals feel systematically excluded in favour of outsiders. Much of the available work is informal or contract-based, offering little security. As older plant units close, economic insecurity is increasing, especially for youth and women. While communities are open to new industries, including renewable energy, they remain skeptical due to past experiences and stress that any transition must generate secure, dignified, and sufficient employment.
“As India charts its path towards an energy transition, this report argues that these communities must not be marginalised a second time. The purpose of this research is to ensure that those most affected—particularly Adivasi groups and informal workers—are active participants in the planning of the energy transition. By documenting their first-hand experiences and vision for the future, the study seeks to transform the transition into an opportunity to correct past injustices and build an equitable future that prioritises local welfare and secure employment,” Anitha added.
The report underscores that JET cannot be a one-size-fits-all or top-down process. Historical injustices, particularly faced by Adivasi communities, have created deep mistrust toward the government and corporations. A just transition must therefore prioritise free, prior, and informed consent, community-based and decentralised decision-making, restoration of environmental damage, and redressal of past harms. It must also address the vulnerability of informal workers and ensure that benefits and burdens are shared equitably.
In conclusion, the study argues that a low-carbon transition does not automatically ensure justice. Without clear government strategies, inclusive planning, and strong social protections, the energy transition risks reproducing old injustices in new forms. For communities in Chandrapura, JET is seen both as a threat and an opportunity—one that could finally correct historical wrongs if it centres jobs, land rights, environmental health, and genuine community participation.
Link to Hindi & English Reports.
Read the press release in Hindi here.
