NGT task force impounds 45 vehicles in month

Tribune News Service

Ambala, February 17

In the past month, a special task force of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) impounded at least 45 vehicles, including trucks, tippers, tractor-trolleys and earth-moving machines, to check illegal mining.

The NGT STF caught 28 truck tippers, nine earth-moving machines and eight tractor-trolleys involved in illegal mining in the areas of Shahzadpur, Naraingarh and Kala Amb.

While the vehicle and machine owners alleged that they were working for a private company that claimed to have mining rights in the area, no official from the company came forward to get the impounded vehicles and machinery released.

The vehicle and machinery owners further alleged that they used to pay royalty to the company and they were not liable to pay the heavy penalty imposed on them by the NGT.

However, NGT STF official Anil Kumar said the impounded machinery and vehicles would be released only after the receipt of penalty and they had received no formal complaint against any company so far.