Acting on the State High Court order given on Thursday regarding the stone crushers operating in the vicinity of Ganga in Haridwar district, the district administration has started a drive to stop operation of the stone crushers on Friday. In all, 43 stone crushers are operating across the district. It is learnt that the district magistrate formed five teams for the purpose immediately after the court order was known and they started the operation on Friday.
The order came in the wake of a contempt petition moved in the court by a Haridwar based environment activist, Brahmachari Dayanand a member of Matri Sadan ashram who had alleged that despite repeated HC orders seeking closure of stone crushing plants and ban on mining activities, the State Government had failed to take any action in the matter. While hearing the petition, the court sought replies from the state’s chief secretary, secretary, industrial department and district magistrate Haridwar, asking them to explain why the stone crushers had not yet been seized despite the pertinent order being issued on May 3. As per the National Green Tribunal, no mining activity can be carried out within 5 km radius of Ganga river bed as it makes a significant impact on environment as stated in the EIA report.
Earlier on July 13, while hearing a contempt application for stopping mining activities on the Ganga riverbed in Haridwar district and demanding the removal of stone crushers, the High Court had asked the state’s chief secretary to respond within four weeks explaining why contempt charges should not be framed against him.
While speaking of the raid, deputy collector Sangeeta Kannaujia said that 28 stone crushers have been seized till now which were found violating the norms of the stone crushers not being located within five km radius of Ganga and its riverbed. “Five teams were formed which launched an operation along the stretch from Raiwala to Bhogpur. All the 43 stone crushers operating across the district would be sealed by this evening,” she added.