Landslide hits mining zone in Charkhi Dadri; no one hurt

A portion of the mining zone in the Aravalli range at Pichopa Kalan village in Charkhi Dadri witnessed a landslide yesterday evening. A poclain machine was partially buried under the debris during the incident, though no casualties were reported.

Director General and Secretary, Mines and Geology Department, KM Pandurang, said recent rains could have caused the slide. “The rains may have loosened the surface soil, causing the slide. However, the experts would look into the matter and submit a report,” he said. “The heap of soil fell on a machine, but only its tyres were stuck and it has since been removed,” he said.

District Mining Officer Rinku Kumar confirmed that the landslide occurred within the legal mining zone. “Our team visited the site and identified the area affected by the slide. The cause is still unclear,” he said, denying that any blasting activities triggered the incident. “A team of experts is being deployed to inspect the site and determine the exact reason behind the incident,” he added.

The administration and police rushed to the spot soon after the incident. Officials also assured that safety protocols and legal compliance at the site would be reviewed thoroughly by the experts.

This marks the second such incident in the area this month. On January 2, a portion of a rock fell off a vehicle, injuring one person. Following that incident, Mines and Geology Minister Krishan Lal Pawar visited the site and ruled out any illegal mining activity.

However, local residents continue to express concerns over mining practices in the area. Vijay, a resident of Pichopa Kalan, alleged overexploitation of the mountain range. “We have complained to the district administration about violations of safety norms and other conditions by the mining contractor. We suspect these violations could be causing recent landslides at the site,” he said.

While officials maintain that the mining operations are within the legal framework, concerns from locals and recurring incidents have brought the safety measures under scrutiny. The findings of the expert team are awaited.