SC slams Raj over failure to curb illegal sand mining

Jaipur: The Supreme Court Tuesday came down heavily on Rajasthan govt for failing to comply with its directions issued earlier this year on curbing illegal sand mining in the Chambal region, terming it an “abysmal state of compliance”.

While hearing a suo motu case on illegal sand mining in the National Chambal Sanctuary and the resulting threat posed to endangered aquatic wildlife, the court expressed “serious displeasure” over Rajasthan’s “lacklustre response” to its April 2 and April 17 orders.

Referring to a report submitted by the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), the court noted that despite identification of several vulnerable locations, Rajasthan had failed to effectively establish surveillance systems, live monitoring mechanisms, GPS integration, inter-state coordination protocols and enforcement infrastructure.

The order noted that the situation reflected a “disturbing degree of administrative apathy and institutional paralysis” in tackling organised and brazen illegal mining within protected forests and wildlife areas.

The SC bench observed that continued illegal mining had resulted in grave ecological degradation. It also flagged the engagement of unregistered vehicles and earth-moving equipment for illegal mining and transportation activities in and around the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary.

According to the court, the unchecked movement of such vehicles reflected a serious breakdown of regulatory oversight that facilitated unlawful mining activities. It further noted that the inability of authorities to identify or trace ownership of these vehicles had hampered seizure, investigation and prosecution efforts, allowing organised mining networks to operate with impunity.

The court went on to express concern over illegal excavation near the pillars and supporting structures of a bridge on National Highway 44 on the Morena-Dholpur border. It observed that mining activities in the vicinity posed a serious threat to the bridge’s structural integrity and public safety. The CEC had verified the excavation during an inspection and found that illegal mining activities continued unabated around the site.

In response, the court made the National Highways Authority of India a respondent in the matter and directed it to submit measures for safeguarding the bridge, including the installation of CCTV surveillance systems.

While noting that Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh had initiated some preliminary steps to curb illegal mining in the Chambal region, the court said compliance in both states was at a nascent stage.

Madhya Pradesh, on its part, had begun the process of strengthening surveillance through tenders for high-resolution CCTV systems and related monitoring infrastructure, the court noted.

The matter will be heard next on July 22.