NGT lifts ban on mining in Yamunanagar

Shiv Kumar Sharma

Tribune News Service

Yamunanagar, June 1

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) today lifted the ban on mining of minor minerals in Yamunanagar district, including the floodplain of the Yamuna.

Deputy Commissioner Dr SS Phulia said the NGT permitted the lessee to commence mining operations, crushing and screening for three months from today.

He said the NGT ordered that in Yamunanagar district, two valid leases with all statutory clearances, 69 crushers and one screening plant might be permitted to continue their operation. The mining leases, as identified in the comprehensive mining plan for the district, might be permitted to operate after obtaining all the requisite approvals.

The NGT had completely prohibited mining here on February 18, saying no screening plant and stone crusher would be permitted to operate in Yamunanagar in Haryana and Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh.

The NGT’s decision had come after hearing of various complaints alleging that illegal mining had been going on in the area of the Yamuna in Yamunanagar and Saharanpur districts, posing a serious threat to the environment and people.

After the NGT order, the authorities of the Pollution Control Board stopped the operation of 69 stone crushers and a screening plant in Yamunanagar district, as they were primarily dependent on the supply of raw material from Saharanpur.

A high-powered committee constituted by the NGT had visited Yamunanagar and Saharanpur districts and found that most of the amount of raw material was being supplied to Yamunanagar from Saharanpur district illegally.

With the lifting of ban, the stone crusher industry of Yamunanagar district, which provides employment to more than 20,000 people, will help solve the problem of shortage of construction material in the region.