'Construct Sardar Sarovar dam or allow sand mining'

INDORE: Continuing its stay on all sand mining operations in Sardar Sarovar project-affected areas, Madhya Pradesh high court on Thursday observed that government should either construct dam or allow sand mining in the region.
With this, illegal sand mining in dam-affected areas of Barwani, Dhar, Khargone and Alirajpur is expected to be stopped. HC observed that lease given by mining department of Madhya Pradesh government on land acquired for Sardar Sarovar Dam in above mentioned districts of state is illegal, and directed state to stop mining in the areas.
The court observed that mining department should not have granted land lease in dam-affected areas, which is under ownership of Narmada Valley Development Authority (NVDA), and if same has happened then it is a matter of concern.
The order was passed on PIL filed by NBA against large-scale sand mining in Narmada valley, especially in submergence and catchment areas of dam, leading to adverse impacts on river ecology, ground water, and reservoir fish, causing major revenue losses to state exchequer.
NBA’s Medha Patkar said earlier HC, in its order, had issued a directive to collectors of all districts concerned to file affidavit and provide, in tabular form, names of lessees, date on which lease permission was granted, and date on which the land, in respect of which lease has been granted, has been vested in NVDA. But, government failed to provide required details, added Patkar.