Amidst Operation Government-II, undercover reporters reach Noida's Raipur region exposing the secret syndicate of illegal mining. While district authorities claim no traces of illegal mining, hidden cameras reveal a different story. Our sting operation captures the reality involving mining mafias and their governmental protectors.
Within the Yamuna River, illegal mining continues openly, veiled as legitimate leases. The river's course is altered, constructing temporary paths for truck movement. Despite restrictions allowing mining up to three meters or until water flows, regulations are blatantly disregarded in favor of financial gain, sanctioned by district approval.
Who Authorized the Yamuna River's Exploitation?
Who allowed this flagrant abuse of the Yamuna River in the name of mining? An official attempts to deny the recorded evidence, asking for video proof of ongoing activities. Instead, our reporter chose a video call to unveil the truth. Despite official duties to mitigate illegal mining, the concerned officer appeared unaware. Moments after the call, an unidentified call from the mining firm arrived, introducing himself as Machel Singh. Promptly, he arrives at our office in a white Scorpio (UP16 CS 9720).
Source: aajtak
The meeting soon reveals the truth behind the illegal mining scheme. Machel Singh admits overseeing Balaji Enterprises in Noida yet feigns ignorance about mining norms. Clearly withholding more than revealing to overshadow the illegal ventures, the secret camera exposes both Machel Singh and his associate, Shubham Yadav.
Responsibility falls upon administrative and police shoulders to curtail unlawful mining and the associated mafias. Our camera discloses the real perpetrators, yet local authorities remain willfully blind. Shockingly, lease pretexts continue disregarding rules. Yet, district authorities remain unmoved. This brazen flouting of conditions sanctioned under environmental conditions goes unchallenged.
Environmental regulations prohibit using scoopers, permitting JCB machinery under strict conditions. Altering Yamuna's course or using its riverbed for trucks is forbidden. Despite these, pathways channel mining activities unabated.
Nocturnal machinery continues, incurring significant revenue losses. Despite citizen grievances, the local inaction emboldens mining barons, our investigation laying bare Noida’s black-market in mining.
The Weave of Illicit Mining in Haryana
From Yamuna Nagar to Sonipat, Haryana disregards mining norms. Under administration’s oblivion, banned machinery ventures into Yamuna’s depth illicitly. In Yamuna Nagar’s Radaur tehsil, Poclain machines desecrate riverbeds. What does the Haryana government do?
The stark reality of illegal mining in Yamuna Nagar surprises. Our team embarks state-wise exposing operations, witnessing alarming impacts threatening Nagli Bridge built on an official budget. Mining gang’s rampancy endangers its very foundation.
The public interest litigation in Punjab and Haryana High Court over illegal mining in Yamuna Nagar questions the government’s credibility. Where the state claims no illegal activities in two blocks, Public Works Department letters present a contradictory view. It’s not limited to illegal endeavors but extends to falsified records and reports signifying systemic administrative failure. Cameras capture Poclain machines actively mining against SDM's claims of regulation-compliance during his inspection.
In Sonipat’s Asadpur Nandnaur stretch along the Yamuna, unauthorized mining persists. A company, Jelcoha holds tenders, yet an overt exploitation prevails, defying legalities. Eyewitness accounts corroborate persistent illicit mining post-6 PM. Despite grave complaints from citizens, district apathy remains steadfast, prompting appeals to Panchkula. Mere token actions ensue, as dozens of machines and trucks operate uninhibited, yet authorities only seize one machine and two trucks, despite alleging over 122 raids annually.
Machines Cut Through Narmada
Our reporters risk exposing those threatening Narmada River. Amid Madya Pradesh’s Sehore district, mining mafias flourish unimpeded under administrative patronage. As our cameras arrive, it unveils the unchecked mischief in mining under district protection.
Source: aajtak
Under administrative oversight, all procedures and laws fall by the wayside. Operating night and day, JCB machines relentlessly devastate the Narmada. This audacious venture utilizes custom-built boats to extract sand straight from the river’s core. The locals acknowledge a mafia dominion as authorities stand in neglect. Serious and impactful actions become imperative; mere delay endangers Narmada’s very essence.
