Bhubaneswar: The state government will introduce by August a GPS-based vehicle tracking system for vehicles carrying minerals, according to a decision taken at meeting of the state-level task force on mining chaired by Chief Secretary AP Padhi here.
The move is aimed at streamlining the regulation of mineral transportation.
“It was decided to make installation of Global Positioning System (GPS) mandatory for all mineral-carrying vehicles by August. The Orissa Space Applications Centre (ORSAC) has prepared a proposal in this regard, which was approved by the government,” mines director Deepak Mohanty said.
Padhi called for the development of a differential global positioning system (DGPS) for regular satellite checking of mining activities at the ground level. He also advised ORSAC to carry forward satellite monitoring of mining activities and keep the department informed regularly for action in case of violations.
A database will be made of all mineral transactions in the state, including import, export and internal consumption figures.
The Chief Secretary also called for the intensification of enforcement activities at the ground level. Collectors of districts having mining and mineral transport hubs were asked to hold district taskforce meetings every month and intensify enforcement activities, steel and mines secretary RK Sharma said. The SPs and collectors of these districts were directed to deal strictly with those who obstruct mineral transport activities.
Google earth maps that were two years old may not provide an appropriate base for comparison of DGPS data being collected by ORSAC through satellite survey in recent months, said experts at the meeting. ORSAC was thus asked to procure an updated earth map from the National Remote Sensing Center, said sources.
Meanwhile, Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC), in collaboration with MSTC Ltd, has put in place a e-tendering system for engagement of transport agencies. All the lessees, end-user industries and transport agencies have been asked to sign the service provider agreement with MSTC. PNN