275 mining vehicles seized in two months in Yamunanagar

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, February 9

In a major crackdown, a joint team of the Anti-Illegal Mining Squad and Mines and Geology Department here has confiscated 275 vehicles engaged in illegal mining (excavation) and transporting material in Yamunanagar district over the past two months.

This is the biggest action so far against the mining mafia in the district in the past two decades, bringing to a halt illegal activity to a large extent besides curbing overloading of vehicles.

With the help of the local mining department, the squad headed by DSP Rajesh Phogat has been working to stop illegal mining in the district since December 3, 2019.

As per a National Green Tribunal order of 2019, the confiscated vehicles will be released only after recovery of at least 50 per cent of the showroom value of such vehicles. Besides, the confiscated vehicle owner shall also have to pay royalty fee, value of the mineral loaded on the vehicle and Rs 10,000 fine before the vehicle is released.

Sources said the joint team had apprehended 275 vehicles, including tippers, trucks, tractor-trolleys and earthmovers between December 3, 2019, and February 6.

These vehicles (except earthmovers) were found transporting mining material, including sand, bajri, boulder, gravel, gatka and other items without obtaining e-rawaana (e-transit pass, an online bill). The seized earthmovers were found engaged in excavation activity.

A member of the team said DC Mukul Kumar provided requisite administrative support to them without bowing to the mining mafia or political pressure.

“Barring a few incidents, illegal mining is completely under control in the district,” said Ashok Kumar, district mining officer.

The sources said overloading had been a major problem for residents in the past few years as it had claimed numerous lives, besides damaging roads.

Bharat Bhushan Kaushik, ADC-cum-Secretary Regional Transport Authority, said their teams were working round-the-clock to keep overloading by vehicles in check.