Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has urged Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to take immediate steps to curb illegal sand mining in the Yamuna river areas near the Delhi-UP border.
Gupta highlighted that such illegal activities are weakening the river’s embankments, thereby increasing the risk of flooding. She has also apprised UP CM Yogi of the concerns raised by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) over this critical issue.
In a letter to the UP CM, Gupta shared detailed information about the illegal sand mining taking place in the Yamuna area, stressing that it is causing serious ecological damage, which could pose grave challenges for the river’s future. She also pointed out that people living along the Yamuna banks are directly impacted by the changes resulting from this environmental disruption.
Calling it an inter-state issue, Gupta emphasised the need for a coordinated and joint enforcement mechanism between the governments of the two states to effectively address and control illegal sand mining.
Gupta informed the UP CM that the NGT has consistently raised concerns over illegal sand mining in the Yamuna. The NGT has repeatedly stressed that these activities are causing significant harm and must be stopped. She reiterated that the tribunal has already underlined the urgent need for regulatory enforcement and interstate coordination on the matter.
Expressing confidence in mutual cooperation, Gupta said, “With your support, we can find an effective solution to this issue.” She also requested her UP counterpart to instruct his officials to initiate a joint inter-state demarcation process to clearly define jurisdictional boundaries, allowing for synchronised administrative efforts by both states to safeguard the ecological balance of the region.
These activities grossly violate environmental norms, including manipulation of the riverbed and alteration of the river’s natural flow, leading to irreparable ecological damage and serious risks to life and property.