Khaira: Balasore sub-collector Nilu Mohapatra formed a special squad and paid a visit to Sarisua mountain Thursday to check illegal mining and transportation of illegally extracted minerals including stone, murram and sand.
Sub-collector Nilu Mohapatra-led team raided firms Brijgopal Crusher and DBL Mobile Crusher to verify their documents. The squad carried out the raid with the help of Khaira tehsildar Pradeep Sahu, environmental engineer Sandhyarani Marandi, Kupari forester Kishor Chandra Bhuyan among others.
Mohapatra advised some of the crusher units to procure land since they were operating on government property. Similarly, Sudarshan Stone Crusher was sealed by the administration since no one was found there. These apart, business firms were reprimanded for not planting saplings around the mines area to retain forest cover and minimise environmental impacts.
The raid follows allegations of unauthorised mining that is causing damage to greenery and loss of revenue to the government. When asked Mohapatra said the checks will continue in the foreseeable future as well.
PNN
