CM Directs Mining Department for Sustainable Development, ET RealEstate
LUCKNOW: The state govt will now promote M-sand, or manufactured sand, as an alternative to river sand and moram. Chief minister Yogi Adityanath has directed the department of mining to implement the M-sand policy at the earliest so that the state can move towards sustainable development.
“Given the limited availability of riverbed sand and its increasing demand, M-sand should be encouraged as an alternative to sand obtained from the riverbed. This will also create new employment opportunities,” the CM said at a meeting with the department of mining on Friday. He added that it was equally important to maintain quality standards of M-sand and that all manufacturers of M-sand should acquire BIS certification. The department of geology and mining has been named the nodal agency for the implementation of the programme. It will coordinate with licensees and stakeholders at both the state and district levels to expedite the production of M-sand. To ensure that M-sand is a viable alternative to river sand, the govt will ensure that it is conveniently available and that its price is low compared to that of natural sand.
The CM has also asked the department to simplify the process of issuing licences. The process should be streamlined at the district level with a defined timeline.
“To tackle vehicle overloading during mineral transportation, the CM has said that task forces should be increased in districts. He emphasised that the best approach to prevent overloading is to start enforcement from the site of mining where sand, moram, gravel and other sub-minerals are loaded onto vehicles. The task force should consist of members of the district administration, police administration, transport and department of geology and mining,” said an official.
The CM has directed the department to install vehicle tracking systems for real-time monitoring of vehicles transporting minerals. He said that the e-Abhivahan form should only be issued when the vehicle is physically present within the designated geo-fenced mining area. The CM also reviewed storage arrangements for sand and moram to ensure that its price was kept under control during the monsoon season. Officials said that from 533 storage sites in 2023-24, the number of sites has increased to 645 this year.
The CM also directed officials to ensure that brick kilns are set up on barren land and not on fertile land. “These consistent efforts have effectively reduced illegal activities and contributed to an increase in revenue,” an official said.
