Wednesday, 27 September 2023 | PNS | NAINITAL
The Uttarakhand High Court has directed the Mining director, secretary and district magistrate to appear in court on November 8 in the matter of illegal mining in the Suswa river under Bullawala bridge in Dehradun district. The court has also directed the district magistrate to dispose of the plastic waste accumulated at the site. The High Court has also sought an affidavit on the action taken against the known mining mafia element in the area Bharat Narang. The division bench of chief justice Vipin Sanghi and justice Rakesh Thapliyal issued these directions while hearing a public interest litigation against illegal mining in the Suswa river.
The court has also asked the government why the illegal mining has not been stopped. The court commissioner also submitted his report in the court on Tuesday. It is stated in the report that illegal mining is still continuing near the bridge due to which the structure has been damaged. A large quantity of waste plastic is accumulated near the bridge, the report states.
Kotdwar resident Shiv Singh had filed the PIL in the High Court stating that illegall mining is being carried out blatantly in the Suswa river under the Bullawala bridge. This may pose a danger to those living in the areas adjoining the river. The petitioner has also contended that the continuing illegal mining in the Suswa river has increased the dangers posed to the structures of the bridges in Kudkawala and Bullawala. Some of the officials have also expressed concerned regarding this but the illegal mining has continued unabated. Stating that the bridge may collapse at any time if the illegal mining continues, the petitioner has sought a stop to the illegal mining.
