Illegally mined soil used in HP rail project: NGT

Tribune News Service

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Solan, August 24

Illegally mined material, like soil and earth, is being used in the key Chandigarh-Baddi railway project, according to the report of a joint committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to probe the construction of this railway line in the Baddi industrial area.

In its August 16 order, the NGT has impleaded two railway officials among 41 individuals in the case. The NGT noted, “Information pertaining to the source of availability of minerals has not been disclosed by the concerned railways authorities to the committee during the inquiry.”

Violations have been found on the part of 41 individuals to whom notices were issued by Sub Divisional Magistrate after proposing environment compensation of Rs 1.1 crore. The Divisional Railway Manager and Divisional Engineer, in-charge of Baddi-Chandigarh railway project, Northern Railways, have been impleaded as respondents in the case.

The committee, formed on April 19, found that approximately 21,600 metric tonnes of soil and muck had been illegally excavated from the stretch between Sheetalpur-Dasomajra in Baddi. There was no adequate evidence that the materials sourced from areas between Sheetalpur-Dasomajra were used for the project. Since the project is approachable from Sheetalpur-Dsomajra, there is, however, a possibility of the materials having been used for the project from this area.

The Indian Railways and the contractor have been asked to submit the supporting documents with respect to the legal source of the muck purchased by them. The Construction Wing of the Northern Railways failed to submit documents to the committee to establish the source of the material procured despite repeated requests.

The committee was provided copies of 11 bills obtained from the material supplier by the Northern Railways, but according to the Mining Department officials at Solan, none of the material suppliers had been issued mining permits. This has further raised doubts about the source of the material used in this significant project.

The NGT had earlier taken note of a complaint where some locals had alleged that illegal mining of soil was underway on Sheetalpur road in Baddi where 5 to 6 excavators were engaged day and night and several tippers were regularly lifting the soil and selling it to the railway authorities.

Fail to show source of material

• Divisional Railway Manager and Divisional Engineer, in-charge of Baddi-Chandigarh railway project, Northern Railways, are among 41 individuals who have been impleaded as respondents in the case
• The committee found that approximately 21,600 metric tonnes of soil and muck had been illegally excavated from the stretch between Sheetalpur-Dasomajra in Baddi
• The Construction Wing of the Northern Railways failed to submit documents to the committee to establish the source of the material procured despite repeated requests