Govt Will Not Compromise Environment for Mining: Deputy CM Surinder Choudhary
JAMMU, April 10 (PTK): In a strong message against unlawful mining practices, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary today reaffirmed that the government is committed to safeguarding Jammu and Kashmir’s environment while facilitating development. He made these remarks while chairing a high-level meeting to review mining issues and the progress of various National Highway projects across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner Secretary Mining Vikramjit Singh, Secretary Public Works (R&B) Bhupinder Kumar, and representatives from NHAI, NHIDCL, BRO, and MoRTH. Regional officers and project directors also participated virtually, including RO NHAI RS Yadav.
The Deputy CM reviewed ongoing major infrastructure projects such as the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra (DAK) Expressway, Srinagar Ring Road, Chenani-Patnitop-Nashri, and Jammu-Rajouri road corridors, among others. Stressing the critical importance of these projects, he directed all executing agencies to prioritize timely completion with minimal inconvenience to the public.
During the review, NHAI representatives raised concerns regarding delays in mining permissions, pending clearances, and shortages of ordinary soil and RBM (River Bed Material).
Responding to the concerns, the Deputy CM assured the agencies that the government is actively addressing their issues. However, he cautioned that environmental protection remains paramount and that illegal mining will not be tolerated under any circumstances.
“While development is essential, it cannot come at the cost of the environment,” Choudhary said. “Illegal mining operations pose a serious threat to our ecology and will be dealt with sternly.”
He instructed concerned authorities to enforce strict legal measures against violators and ensure field-level monitoring of mining activities to prevent disruptions to development works.
In a firm directive to executive agencies, the Deputy CM asked them to first clear penalties imposed by the Mining Department to ensure uninterrupted material supply for ongoing projects. He assured them of full government cooperation once the dues are settled.
Reviewing project timelines, Choudhary emphasized that delays are unacceptable and reiterated that completion deadlines must be strictly adhered to in the public interest.
He urged all departments and stakeholders to coordinate effectively, conduct joint site visits, and hold regular review meetings to resolve any hurdles proactively.
The Deputy CM concluded by stating that the government remains fully committed to both infrastructure development and environmental sustainability, ensuring balanced and responsible growth in the region. (PTK)
