Tractors engaged in illegal mining stuck in Yamuna

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 10

Six tractor-trailers engaged in illegal mining in the Yamuna riverbed near Kunja Matralia in Paonta Sahib subdivision of Sirmaur district were stuck in the river after a huge quantity of water was released from the Dakpathar barrage this morning.

DSP, Paonta Sahib, Bir Bahadur, said, “A rescue operation was initiated in the morning. Team comprising divers, Home guards and police personnel were pressed into service though the rescuers had to wait for the water level to recede. However, the occupants were safely rescued”.

To facilitate the operation, a request was made to the dam authorities to halt the release of water, said Vivek Mahajan, SDM, Paonta Sahib. “A report has been sought from mining official about the incident as despite warnings mining was underway at the spot. All tractors had been brought out safely though three trailors were still stuck in the river,” said the SDM.

Mining Officer Suresh Bhardwaj, who is enquiring into the incident, said that six tractor-trailors from Uttarakhand were engaged in illegal mining near Kunja Matralia in early morning hours. Despite repeated warnings and action against illegal mining, sand mining was going on in the area.

The SDM has issued an advisory to people to stay away from the Yamuna, Tons, Giri and Bata rivers. “Due to continuous heavy rain in hilly areas for the past two days, an alert has been sounded by various dam authorities upstream of the Yamuna, Tons, Giri and Bata rivers, as the volume of water has increased manifold. People have been advised not to go near the rivers in the next 24 hours to avoid mishaps,” said Mahajan.