[Illegal Mining] 'Excessive Extraction Of Minerals Poses Grave Threat To The Bridges/Highways', P&H HC Prohibits Mining Near Highways, Bridges [Read Order]

Taking serious note of the illegal mining in the State of Punjab and in order "to save environment and ecology" and "to regulate sand mining," the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday prohibited mining activities 1 kilometre from the National Highways and ½ kilometre from State Highways in the State of Punjab A Division Bench comprising of Justices Rajiv Sharma and Harinder Singh Sidhu was hearing the plea by a petitioner who submitted before the Court that large scale illegal mining activities are being carried out in their villages as well as on the bed of the Sutlej river. * Similarly no mining activities shall take place 1 kilometre from the National Highways and ½ kilometre from State Highways in the State of Punjab. * The Deputy Commissioners and the Senior Superintendents of Police are directed to constitute special Flying Squads in order to check the illegal mining activities in the State of Punjab within two weeks from today. * The State machinery shall also use UAV/drones to check the illegal mining and also undertake to carry out river audit including replenishment study within six months.