PRADIP DAS, OP
Bhograi: The Subarnarekha River is facing a growing threat from rampant illegal sand extraction, with hundreds of trucks allegedly transporting sand to West Bengal every day.
Illegal extraction of sand from the riverbed is reportedly altering the course of the river and causing extensive erosion along both banks.
Hundreds of villages in the Jaleswar, Basta, Baliapal and Bhograi blocks of Baleshwar district are facing the threat of being swallowed by the river, with residents losing land and property to erosion.
Following a petition, the NGT in 2017 had directed authorities to stop illegal sand extraction.
However, the order is allegedly being flouted, with hundreds of Hyva trucks, trucks and tractors transporting sand to West Bengal every day.
The Mines department, police and Revenue department have been accused of failing to curb illegal sand extraction and transportation from the Subarnarekha.
Recently, Baleshwar Collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas visited flood-affected areas and, after receiving complaints about illegal sand transportation to West Bengal, directed the Mines and Revenue departments to take action.
Tension also erupted Sunday morning on the Chandaneswar-Sahabajipur border road when some youths allegedly tried to stop vehicles transporting sand. The drivers allegedly assaulted the youths.
One of the injured persons, reportedly a BJP leader, is undergoing treatment in Baleshwar.
Although Talsari police were present during the incident, they allegedly failed to take action, residents claimed.
District mining officer Jagan Behera said raids were being conducted at several locations to curb illegal sand transportation.