Crackdown on illegal sand mining
The city administration on Saturday conducted a number of raids on illegal sand mining in East Delhi during which 18 bullock carts full of sand were confiscated.
“A number of complaints were being received regarding illegal sand mining on the banks of river Yamuna in the city’s east district. A special team was constituted by the district magistrate to raid and apprehend the illegal sand miners,” Gandhi Nagar SDM R. D. Sharma said.
The official said that accordingly, an operation was conducted alongside the Yamuna belt early on Saturday between 3 am and 5: 30 am. “A total of 18 bullock carts full of sand were seized, while two bullock carts extracting sand from the river managed to escape in the dark,” Mr Sharma said.
Upon completion of the operation, the bullock carts were handed over to the local police for safe handling and initiation of legal proceedings against the offenders under the Environment (Protection) Act 1986 and The Mines & Minerals ( Regulation and Development) Act 1957. The raiding team was led by the Mr Sharma and comprised of Tehsildar Gandhi Nagar, four government officials and 12 civil defence volunteers along with the quick response teams of the East district.
The District Magistrate ( East) also appealed to the public that any complaint regarding to illegal extraction of sands may be given at district control room at its 24/ 7 helpline number.