To provide sand and gravel at reasonable rates to common people, the Punjab Government has initiated mining operations at nine quarries in full swing. The nine quarries includes Adraman (Moga), Bassia (Moga), Sanghera (Moga), Pawat (ludhiana), Gujjarwal Bet (ludhiana), Koom Kalan (ludhiana), Burj Tehal Dass (SBS Nagar), Digana Khurd (Hoshiarpur) and Jhungian Mahan Singh (Jalandhar).
Besides, the Government has decided to start a dump in Roopnagar (Ropar) district near Rallon village from where sand can be loaded at a cost of Rs700 per cubic feet from Monday to Saturday between 8am to 6pm.
“Consumers desirous of getting subsidized sand can get the receipt of Rs800 for loading per 100 cusec sand,” informed a Government spokesperson. Apart from that, a helpline number — 1800-137-2244, for further information, has also been started.
The directions to this effect were issued by Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Badal on Wednesday during a review meeting to take stock of mining operations and to provide sand and gravel on affordable rates throughout the State.
Spokesperson said that consumers could take receipt from concerned market committee of their respective areas for loading the sand and gravel. He said that consumers could also register their complaints in getting receipts, if any, directly to the officers designated at the dump at 98880-24825. Besides, people could also contact District Mandi Officer at 01881-220669 and Ropar Market Committee secretary at 01881-222237.
Giving details of mining operations, the spokesperson said that Union Environment and Forest Ministry has approved 11 quarries while approval of 29 more quarries was in pipeline.
With the approval of these quarries, Punjab would have 40 quarries, which would be fully operational in the coming month, he said adding that it would not only eliminate the paucity of construction material but too provide material on affordable rates.
It is also pertinent to mention here that to plug illegal mining in all districts, four police officers have been deployed in each district while a Superintendent of Police and three Deputy Superintendents of Police have already been deputed at Chandigarh to keep a check on such illegal exercises.