MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania Exposes Stone Crusher Crisis and Illegal Mining in J&K Assembly
Jammu, March 24, 2025: In a fiery session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, MLA Ranbir Singh Pathania raised alarm over the stone crusher crisis and rampant illegal mining plaguing the Union Territory, highlighting serious lapses in oversight and environmental concerns.
Govt Admits to Operational Gaps in Stone Crushers & Tar Units
During the session, the J&K government acknowledged that out of 759 stone crushers and hot/wet mix plants across the region, only 577 remain operational, while 182 are non-functional due to various regulatory hurdles.
Key revelations included:
177 units stalled due to pending NOCs from the Pollution Control Board (PCB).
Budgam alone accounts for 63 non-functional units awaiting clearance.
Rajouri reported three units shut over penalties.
Anantnag saw one unit crippled by FIRs and another penalized with fines.
Unchecked Mining Wreaking Havoc on Infrastructure
Pathania also criticized unregulated mining, citing its devastating impact on Udhampur’s infrastructure and environment. He highlighted:
The collapse of Salmey Bridge (2021) and damages to Biewan and Kah More bridges, linking them to excessive mining.
Severe ecological degradation affecting riverbeds and groundwater levels.
Government’s Defense and Proposed Measures
In response, the government downplayed the mining allegations, asserting that Salmey Bridge’s collapse was due to flooding, not mining activities. However, it outlined several ongoing and upcoming initiatives to tackle the issue:
Multi-departmental task forces to monitor mining activities.
Vigilance squads to crack down on illegal operations.
E-marketplace to ensure transparency in mineral trade.
Forthcoming Mine Surveillance System for real-time tracking of mining operations.
Pathania Calls for Stronger Action
Despite these assurances, MLA Pathania demanded stricter enforcement against illegal mining and greater accountability from regulatory bodies. He emphasized the urgent need for environmental safeguards and proper infrastructure monitoring to prevent further damage.
With the J&K Assembly now under pressure, all eyes are on whether the administration will take concrete action or if the crisis will continue unchecked.
