Is Government Turning a Blind Eye to Impending Disaster?
- Unchecked mining in Niki Tawi, raises concerns about potential damage to the Tawi bridge.
- Director of Choudhry Power Projects Pvt Ltd files a complaint with the NGT.
- Unauthorized dredging and shoal formation harming the ecosystem.
- Immediate intervention and corrective measures by the government needed.
Q Public demands stringent action against those responsible for violating environmental regulations.
Public outcry for Accountability: Government must act swiftly to prevent another Samba-like disaster
jj correspondent
Jammu, Jan 14: As the government continues to scrutinize the activities of common people for potential harm to society, a glaring concern arises when its own agencies indulge in activities that could jeopardize public infrastructure. The ongoing unrestricted mining and disposal permits granted by the government in Niki Tawi (Near Le Garden) have emerged as a major threat to the stability of the Tawi bridge.
Experts assert that immediate action is imperative to either ban such activities or closely monitor mining not only in Niki Tawi but also in other regions. The fear looms of a disaster akin to the Samba incident, where extensive mining near a major bridge led to its collapse during flash floods.
A formal complaint has been filed with the National Green Tribunal (NGT) by Director of Choudhary Power Projects Pvt Ltd, citing serious violations in the allocation of Short-Term Permits (STPs) and disposal permits to state/central agencies and government mega projects in Jammu and Kashmir. The letter No. STP/2024-25/951 dated January 2, 2024, raises alarming concerns about dredging activities and shoal formation in the river.
In the letter addressed to the NGT, the Director states, “Beyond the concerns about the improper issuance of STPs/ Disposal Permits, it has been noticed that the unchecked actions of corporate entities involved in the STP process have extended to unauthorized dredging operations and the creation of shoals in the river. These actions not only harm the environmental balance of the river but also pose significant risks to the ecosystem and the legal minor mineral lessee, whose resources remain unused due to illegal fulfilment of demands through disposal permits.”
The complaint urges the National Green Tribunal, Delhi, to promptly investigate the irregularities in STP/disposal permits issuance and take swift measures to halt and rectify unauthorized dredging and shoal formation in the riverbed, which encourages illegal mining.
The Director of CPP further emphasizes the need for immediate intervention to mitigate environmental damage caused by these unlawful activities, urging corrective measures to rectify the flawed STP issuance process. The letter serves as a call to action to preserve the ecological balance of the region and protect water bodies from unlawful and damaging activities associated with illegal mining for profit.
As concerns mount over the potential collapse of the Niki Tawi bridge due to unchecked mining activities, questions arise about the government’s responsibility and accountability in preventing another disaster on the scale of Samba. The public demands stringent measures to curb unauthorized mining, holding accountable those responsible for violating environmental regulations and risking the stability of critical infrastructure.
