Unveiling the Measures Against Sand Mining along the Yamuna
Delhi Administration Under Scrutiny for Persistent Concerns
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has summoned the North Delhi district magistrate to submit a detailed reply by April 21 regarding the measures taken to curb sand mining along the Yamuna River. The NGT’s suo-motu action followed a ToI article titled “Sand miners lay a road across Yamuna,” which highlighted the alarming violations of environmental laws.
Joint Committee Formation and Inspection
Following the ToI report, a joint committee was formed to verify the alleged violations. The committee comprised the District Magistrate (DM) of Ghaziabad, the Divisional Forest Officer, and representatives from the Central and UP Pollution Boards. The joint committee conducted surprise inspections, including a raid on December 17, 2024, near Pachaiyra village on the Delhi-UP border.
- During the raid, officials found evidence of sand mining, but the operators escaped in the darkness, leaving behind their equipment.
- Despite the authorities’ efforts, the Delhi side of the river continued to be plagued by illegal mining operations.
The committee also removed an illegal embankment in Loni’s Pachaiyra, Khand-2, which was promptly dismantled. Sandbags placed in the riverbed to facilitate sand excavation were also removed from the spot.
Measures Taken by the District Administration
The District Magistrate’s report highlighted measures taken by the administration to tackle sand mining along the Yamuna. These measures included:
- Immediate site inspection after the ToI article
- Removal of illegal embankment and sandbags
- Seizure of equipment and filing of cases at the Tronica City police station
- Environmental compensation of Rs 6.5 lakh on the lessee for unauthorized mining
Persistent Concerns on the Delhi Side
Despite repeated notifications to relevant authorities, persistent concerns about illegal mining on the Delhi side of the river remained. The District Magistrate’s report specifically highlighted these concerns.
NGT’s Response
The NGT has asked the North Delhi district magistrate to submit a detailed reply by April 21 regarding the measures taken to curb sand mining along the Yamuna. The case, initially heard by two separate NGT benches, has now been consolidated.
| NGT Bench | Date of Hearing |
|---|---|
| Coram | April 22 |
| Judicial Member | Sudhir Agarwal |
| Expert Member | A.Senthil Vel |
Conclusion
The measures taken by the administration to tackle sand mining along the Yamuna are a step in the right direction. However, the NGT’s response highlights the need for further action to curb this illegal activity. The consolidated hearing of the case on April 22 will provide clarity on the measures taken and the next steps to be taken.
“The issue of illegal mining along the Yamuna is a complex one, and the NGT’s response is a necessary step to ensure that the administration takes concrete measures to curb this activity,” said an official.
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